Critical Factors in Sample Prep and Digestion of Battery Component Materials

This episode highlights complexities of elemental analysis during lithium-ion battery component manufacturing, with a focus on lithium salts, graphite, silicon-carbon composites, and lithium metal oxides. Experts highlight the importance of precise control over material composition to ensure battery performance, safety, and longevity. The discussion emphasizes critical impurities, analytical methodologies, and process optimizations that improve both efficiency and sustainability in component manufacturing.

Panelists explore the major challenges of lithium salt analysis, including the hygroscopic nature of lithium hydroxide and the difficulty of fully digesting complex materials. Various sample preparation techniques, such as microwave digestion, fusion followed by acid digestion, and direct solid analysis using laser ablation or graphite furnace methods, are examined. The conversation also highlights the role of specialized equipment, like wide-bore V-groove nebulizers for ICP-OES, in achieving accurate and stable results without the need for additional filtration or complex digestion steps.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Managing lithium salt hygroscopicity and other material handling challenges.
• Best practices for sample preparation and digestion of graphite, silicon-carbon composites, and lithium metal oxides.
• Using alternative analysis methods like laser ablation and graphite furnace ICP-OES to avoid digestion pitfalls.
• Ensuring accuracy through method validation, spike recovery, and reference material checks.
• Leveraging advanced ICP-OES equipment to simplify workflows and achieve reliable elemental quantification.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Alwan, W., Babu, S., & Zieschang, F. Agilent Technologies. (2023, July 5). Quick and easy material identification of salts used in lithium-ion batteries by FTIR (Publication No. 5994-6243EN.
• Qi, Y. Agilent Technologies. Determination of elemental impurities in silicon-carbon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries by ICP-OES (Publication No. 5994-5590EN).
• Singha, S. & Drvodelic, N. Agilent Technologies. (2023, September 19). Analysis of elemental impurities in lithium iron phosphate cathode materials for LIBs by ICP-OES (Publication No. 5994-6736EN).
• Wenkun, F., & Yingping, N. Agilent Technologies. (2019, March 29). Determination of elements in ternary material nickel-cobalt-manganese hydride (Publication No. 5991-9506EN).
• Scadding, C. Agilent Technologies. (2023, January 11). Using elemental fingerprints to confirm the geographic origin of products (Publication No. 5994-5593EN).
• Ni, Y. Agilent Technologies. (2022, November 10). ICP-MS analysis of trace elements in LIB cathode materials (Publication No. 5994-5509EN).