Tracking metal-containing particles in wastewater using single-particle ICP-MS

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Metal-containing particles are key components of lithium-ion battery (LIB) positive electrodes.
• The fate and behavior of these particles in wastewater are not well understood.
• Effective wastewater management requires knowledge of these emerging contaminants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically track metal-containing particles in wastewater from LIB precursor production and treatment plants.
• To characterize the size, composition, and dynamic behavior of these particles.
• To understand metal-specific transfer and transformation patterns in wastewater.

Main Methods:

• Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) for particle detection and quantification.
• Transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDS) for particle characterization.
• Analysis of wastewater from a ternary precursor production facility and a full-scale wastewater treatment plant.

Main Results:

• Multiple metal particles (Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn) were detected, with sizes ranging from approximately 10 nm to 925 nm.
• Particles were often composed of multiple metals and showed agglomeration.
• Metal-specific behaviors were observed: Ni, Co, Al particles varied significantly in size, while Mn, Cu, Zn showed different number concentration changes.
• Mn, Al, and Zn particle concentrations decreased, Co and Cu increased, and Ni remained stable.

Conclusions:

• This study provides critical insights into the occurrence and behavior of metal-containing particles in wastewater.
• Understanding metal-specific dynamics is crucial for developing targeted treatment and management strategies.
• The findings contribute to mitigating the environmental impact of LIB waste.