Carbon Measurement of Metal Powder Battery Material

Significance of the topic

Battery electrodes require high-purity metal powders. Carbon content in metal powders like LiCoO2 influences performance and safety. Rapid and accurate total carbon measurement is critical for quality control in battery manufacturing.

Objectives and overview

This study demonstrates the use of Shimadzu's TOC-LCPH analyzer coupled with the SSM-5000A solid sample combustion unit to measure total carbon in lithium cobalt oxide, both unspiked and spiked with known carbon levels. Goals include evaluating accuracy, precision, and ease of use for routine analysis of battery materials.

Methodology and instrumentation

A solid sample TOC system combining a TOC-LCPH analyzer and SSM-5000A combustion unit was employed. Key steps:

• Samples: Commercial LiCoO2 powder, ~100 mg per analysis.
• Spiked samples: LiCoO2 mixed with glucose to achieve 0.2 %, 1.0 %, and 5.0 % carbon.
• Calibration: One-point calibration using 40 % carbon glucose powder.
• Oxidation: Catalytic combustion at 900 °C.
• Detection: Combusted gases analyzed for total carbon (TC).

Main results and discussion

All spiked samples yielded carbon values closely matching nominal concentrations:

• Unspiked LiCoO2: 0 % C detected.
• 0.2 % glucose spike: 0.209 % C measured.
• 1.0 % spike: 0.999 % C measured.
• 5.0 % spike: 5.02 % C measured.

The calibration curve and combustion charts confirmed linearity and high measurement accuracy, demonstrating that the TOC solid sample system reliably quantifies low-level carbon in solid battery materials.

Benefits and practical application of the method

• Rapid sample preparation and analysis suitable for high-throughput quality control.
• High accuracy at low carbon concentrations, essential for verifying material purity.
• Non-extractive solid sample analysis reduces potential contamination and sample loss.
• Applicable to various metal powders used in battery electrodes.

Future trends and potential uses

• Integration with automated sample handling for further throughput improvements.
• Expansion to other battery materials and contamination monitoring in advanced electrode chemistries.
• Development of multi-element solid sample analyses by coupling TOC systems with additional detectors.
• Real-time process monitoring in industrial battery production lines.

Conclusion

Shimadzu's TOC-LCPH analyzer with the SSM-5000A combustion unit provides a robust, accurate, and rapid method for total carbon determination in lithium cobalt oxide powders. The approach meets the high-purity requirements of battery electrode materials and offers significant advantages for laboratory and industrial quality control.

Reference

No specific references were provided in the original text.