Lithium-ion Battery Production: The Analytical Techniques Used

[simon-nelms]

The surge in demand for high-performance batteries is driving significant investment in every stage of production. Laboratories associated with battery research and manufacturing need material analysis solutions in each step of the process, all the way from raw material production to recycling spent batteries.  To meet the analysis requirements, a wide range of instruments, software and related technologies is required.

Analytical techniques across the battery supply chain

Research
This work involves development of next-generation battery materials and improvements in existing lithium battery technologies.

Processes include	Analytical need	Analytical techniques
Novel cathode active materials research Electrolyte, cathode and anode material degradation product studies Exploration of new methods and improvement of existing techniques for battery material recycling Development of next-generation batteries (e.g., solid state, sodium)	Material composition and purity characterization Failure analysis	ICP-OES ICP-MS IC/IC-MS LC/LC-MS GC-GC-MS HR-ICP-MS GD-MS OEA

Raw materials
This step of the supply chain involves mining, processing and refining raw materials, such as lithium, manganese, nickel, cobalt and iron salts, graphite and silicon.

Processes include	Analytical need	Analytical techniques
Mined material processing Refined product purity analysis Quality assurance and control	Bulk process control and quality control (QC) Mineral, ore and brine analysis for lithium and impurity element analysis Confirmation of material quality	ICP-OES ICP-MS IC/IC-MS OEA

Cell components and assembly
In this stage, a variety of processes, including development of novel chemistries, anodes, cathodes, electrolytes and separators, as well as on-line inspection are required. This step also covers mixing of materials, coating, drying, calendering and stacking of battery jelly rolls, and packaging components into pouch, prismatic or cylindrical forms.

Processes include	Analytical need	Analytical techniques
Manufacturing of battery cells and/or cell arrays Electrolyte composition confirmation	Ensure quality of design Process control In-line inspection Failure analysis and material rejection Composition measurement Detection and quantification of elemental impurities Degradation studies Research and routine QA/QC measurement	ICP-OES ICP-MS GC/GC-MS IC/IC-MS

Battery testing
During this phase, manufacturers need to ensure that the finished battery cells meet specification before they are assembled into battery packs.

Processes include	Analytical need	Analytical techniques
Failure analysis and rejection Battery aging, environmental and electrical studies	Analysis of degradation products: Cathode material compounds Electrolytes Separator degradation products	ICP-OES ICP-MS LC/LC-MS GC/GC-MS IC/IC-MS

Battery recycling
This final stage of the battery supply chain incorporates bulk recycling and recovery of cathode and anode materials (the so-called ‘black mass’) and includes recycling of both end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap from failed cells to retrieve and refine the material for use in new batteries.

Processes include	Analytical need	Analytical techniques
Material recovery Inspection and reuse Battery recycling Testing	Inspection Characterization	ICP-OES ICP-MS HPLC IC/IC-MS LC/LC-MS GC/GC-MS

 

What are the analytical techniques?

ICP-OES – Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

ICP-MS – Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

HPLC – High performance liquid chromatography

LC-MS – Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

IC – Ion chromatography

GC – Gas chromatography

GC-MS – Gas chromatography mass spectrometry

IC-MS – Ion chromatography mass spectrometry

HR-ICP-MS – High resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

GD-MS – Glow discharge mass spectrometry

OEA – Organic elemental analyzer

Why these analytical techniques?

Ion chromatography – By using ion chromatography, researchers and scientists can confirm the anionic composition and purity of electrolyte solutions and gain insights into degradation mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries to ensure product quality during manufacturing.

Gas chromatography – Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems can reach lower detection limits and obtain richer information with sensitive detection and accurate mass-fragment and molecular ion identification. By identifying and quantifying compounds formed during electrolyte aging, GC-MS systems can provide new insight into Li-ion battery degradation.

Mass spectrometry – When studying lithium-ion battery components, detection using mass spectrometry (MS) dramatically extends the capabilities of ion and liquid chromatography (IC and HPLC) systems and provides higher sensitivity, accurate quantitation, peak confirmation and evaluation of chromatography peak purity, improved resolution of complex samples with seamless integration of MS data into IC and HPLC workflows.

Elemental analysis – Long before lithium-ion batteries are produced, laboratories use elemental analysis to determine the composition and purity of lithium-rich brine and lithium ores which will eventually be refined into battery component materials. The refined materials also require elemental analysis to ensure their composition and purity before use, since the presence of impurities significantly degrades the performance and lifetime of the battery.

Liquid chromatography – Whether you’re analyzing electrolyte solvents or working to achieve the next breakthrough in battery recycling, liquid chromatography solutions can improve your productivity, deliver a maximum return on your investment, and when coupled with mass spectrometry provide confident insights to drive business decisions.

Additional Information

To learn more about battery research and manufacturing, visit our website.

[Ganirajugoli]

Nice data and informative