Sensitive determination of elements in lithium batteries using the Thermo Scientific iCAP PRO XP ICP-OES

Importance of the topic

The development of lithium-ion batteries with ternary cathode materials requires precise quantification of major and trace elements to ensure performance, safety and compliance with industry standards. Accurate elemental analysis supports quality control, material optimization and regulatory adherence in battery manufacturing.

Study objectives and overview

This study aims to establish a rapid, sensitive method for simultaneous determination of key elements (Li, Ni, Co, Mn) and trace impurities in lithium battery cathode materials. The approach follows the Chinese standard YS/T 798-2012 and evaluates analytical performance using the Thermo Scientific iCAP PRO XP ICP-OES system.

Methodology and instrumentation

• Sample preparation: 0.25 g of cathode powder digested in 37 % HCl, heated to dissolution, diluted to 50 mL with ultrapure water.
• Calibration standards: multi-element impurities at 0–5 mg/L; Li at 0–10 mg/L; Co, Ni, Mn at 0–50 mg/L in 2 % HCl matrix.
• Analytical conditions: iCAP PRO XP ICP-OES (radial view); iFR mode (167–852 nm); RF power 1150 W; nebulizer gas 0.6 L/min; auxiliary gas 0.5 L/min; cooling gas 12 L/min; radial viewing height 10 mm; exposure time 10 s.

Used instrumentation

• Thermo Scientific iCAP PRO XP ICP-OES Radial system
• Glass concentric nebulizer, EMT quartz torch, 2.0 mm quartz injector
• Glass cyclonic spray chamber, Barnstead water purification system
• Qtegra ISDS Software for spectral acquisition and interference avoidance

Main results and discussion

• Calibration linearity: correlation coefficients (R2) > 0.9995 for all analytes.
• Detection limits in solution range from 0.0001 to 0.0142 mg/L; equivalent solid detection limits from 0.020 to 2.838 mg/kg.
• Unspiked sample analysis identified low-level impurities; spiked recovery between 90 % and 110 % for all elements.
• Stability over 2 h: RSD < 1 % (n=7) for Li, Mn, Ni and Co, demonstrating robust performance.
• The high-resolution optical system effectively resolves potential spectral overlaps in complex Li-Ni-Co-Mn matrices.

Benefits and practical applications

• Rapid multi-element detection accelerates quality control workflows in battery production.
• Compliance with national standard YS/T 798-2012 ensures regulatory acceptance.
• High sensitivity and precision enable reliable monitoring of impurities that affect cell performance and safety.
• Reduced argon consumption and full-spectrum capture lower operational costs.
• Suitable for routine and research laboratories engaged in battery material analysis.

Future trends and potential applications

The increasing complexity of battery chemistries will drive demand for faster, higher-throughput elemental analysis. Integration of automated sample introduction, inline process monitoring and advanced data analytics will enhance real-time quality assurance. Emerging ICP technologies with improved sensitivity in the deep ultraviolet region will expand capabilities for trace-level detection in next-generation energy storage materials.

Conclusion

This application demonstrates that the Thermo Scientific iCAP PRO XP ICP-OES system provides a rapid, accurate and reliable method for quantifying major and trace elements in ternary lithium battery cathodes. Its high sensitivity, stability and compliance with industry standards make it an effective tool for quality control and research in battery material development.

Reference

• YS/T 798-2012: Lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide. China National non-ferrous metal industry standards.