Analytical solutions along the lithium-ion-battery lifecycle

The battery industry is growing strongly, especially for lithium-ion batteries due to their high capacity and durability. Environmentally friendly recycling is critical, with the EU mandating 50% recycling efficiency, rising to at least 65% by 2025. After old batteries are dismantled, "black mass" is produced, which contains graphite and various metals. The composition varies depending on the battery type. Accurate analysis of these elements, including trace and minor elements, is important to influence the quality of recycled material and the performance of new batteries. Efficient sample preparation is critical, and there is currently no official guidance for this. In this study, shredded lithium-ion battery material and cathode material were extracted with various acids and then analyzed for major, minor, and trace elements using the PlasmaQuant 9100 Elite high-resolution ICP-OES.