A quantification method for Fe based particle contaminants in high purity materials for lithium-ion batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Technological advancements demand higher raw material quality, especially for lithium-ion battery components.
• Particle metal contaminants in powders can lead to critical battery failures and compromise safety.
• Existing analytical methods struggle to differentiate between trace elements and external particle contaminants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive and practical analytical method for detecting external particle contaminants in high-purity carbon powders.
• To quantify specific metal contaminants (Fe, Ni, Cr) relevant to lithium-ion battery applications.
• To ensure high precision and accuracy in contaminant analysis for improved battery safety and performance.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic extraction of a large test sample to isolate particulate contaminants.
• Acid digestion of the extracted sample for subsequent analysis.
• Quantification of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) using sensitive analytical techniques.

Main Results:

• The developed method is sensitive to external particle contaminants, which are typically present at much lower concentrations than total trace elements.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately quantify Fe, Ni, and Cr contaminants in high-purity carbon powders.
• Achieved low levels of detection and quantification with high precision and accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The magnetic extraction method provides a reliable approach for identifying critical metal particle contaminants in carbon powders.
• This technique supports the stringent quality control required for advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturing.
• Enhanced raw material analysis contributes to improved battery safety, performance, and reliability.