<p><strong>Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have transformed energy storage technology, driving innovations for products we use in everyday life such as smartphones and even electric vehicles. But what makes these batteries so efficient? A key component is the electrolyte solution, a complex mix that’s crucial for battery performance. GC-MS or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is an essential tool in analyzing these electrolyte mixtures and the development of increased efficiency and longer-lasting batteries.</strong></p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1024/551;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Electrifying_Insights_How_GC_MS_is_Powering_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Analysis_29d144ea28.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Electrifying Insights: How GC-MS is Powering Lithium-Ion Battery Analysis." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Electrifying_Insights_How_GC_MS_is_Powering_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Analysis_29d144ea28.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="551"></figure><h4><strong>Why Analyze Electrolytes?</strong></h4><p><strong>Electrolyte solutions are the essence of lithium-ion batteries, impacting:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Performance</strong>: The right mix ensures faster charging and longer battery life.</li><li><strong>Safety</strong>: Accurate composition prevents overheating and potential hazards.</li><li><strong>Lifespan</strong>: Understanding degradation helps design components that last longer.</li></ul><p>Getting the electrolyte mix right is vital for efficient, safe, and durable batteries.</p><p><strong>However, analyzing electrolytes is complex and comes with a number of challenges:</strong></p><ol><li><strong>Complex Mixture</strong>: Electrolytes consist of various organic solvents, additives, and degradation products. This complexity requires sophisticated technology to separate and identify components.</li><li><strong>Heat Sensitivity</strong>: Components like LiPF6 can degrade at high temperatures, creating new compounds that complicate analysis.</li><li><strong>Trace Additives</strong>: Some additives are present in low concentrations but play a critical role in battery performance. Detecting these components demands highly sensitive methods.</li><li><strong>Degradation Products</strong>: Battery cycling produces byproducts that can interfere with the main components. It’s like trying to find a book in a disorganized library.</li></ol><p><strong>This is where GC-MS becomes an essential analytical tool. This powerful technique provides a detailed look into the composition of LIB electrolytes. The analysis follows a number of steps:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Sample Prep</strong>: LIB electrolyte samples are diluted in dichloromethane and centrifuged to remove interfering salts.</li><li><strong>GC Separation</strong>: Samples are run through a gas chromatograph which uses a programmed temperature ramp ensures all components are separated within a 23-minute window.</li><li><strong>MS detection</strong>: After separation, the mass spectrometer operating in full scan and selected ion monitoring (SIM) provides detailed qualitative and quantitative data.</li></ul><p>Figure 1 shows the difference in selectivity between full scan and SIM mode. Vinylene carbonate is not detected in full scan at a 1 to 500 dilution due to the lack of selectivity and interference in full scan acquisition. However, by using SIM the ions of interest are isolated in the quadrupole increasing selectivity and allowing vinylene carbonate to be quantified at a low level.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:881/694;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Electrifying_Insights_How_GC_MS_is_Powering_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Analysis_Figure_1_Full_scan_and_SIM_acquisition_of_vinylene_carbonate_in_cycled_LIB_electrolyte_at_1_500_dilution_6803793369.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Figure 1. Full scan and SIM acquisition of vinylene carbonate in cycled LIB electrolyte at 1:500 dilution." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Electrifying_Insights_How_GC_MS_is_Powering_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Analysis_Figure_1_Full_scan_and_SIM_acquisition_of_vinylene_carbonate_in_cycled_LIB_electrolyte_at_1_500_dilution_6803793369.jpg 198w," sizes="100vw" width="881" height="694"></figure><p><strong>GC-MS brings several advantages to electrolyte analysis:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Precise Separation</strong>: Achieves excellent separation of multiple components, ensuring accurate readings without co-elution issues.</li><li><strong>High Sensitivity</strong>: Detects even trace amounts of additives—down to 0.021 mg/L.</li><li><strong>Broad Range</strong>: Handles a wide concentration range, analyzing both major and minor components in one go.</li><li><strong>Degradation Insights</strong>: Reveals compositional shifts in cycled electrolytes, providing clues about the aging process of batteries.</li></ul><div><div><h4><strong>Why this analysis is important?</strong></h4><p>Understanding the detailed composition and changes in LIB electrolytes is crucial. It helps researchers and manufacturers fine-tune battery designs for enhanced performance, safety, and durability. While the analysis can be complex, the insights gained are invaluable.</p><p>So next time you charge your device remember the sophisticated science behind that battery. Tools like GC-MS are enabling battery technological advances to be made, ensuring the future of battery technology.</p><blockquote><p>For full details on this analysis<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_001124_gc_ms_isq_7610_li_battery_electrolyte_an001124_na_en_4df8612386/an-001124-gc-ms-isq-7610-li-battery-electrolyte-an001124-na-en.pdf"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="read the full application note. - open in a new tab" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://assets.thermofisher.com/tfs-assets/cmd/application-notes/an-001124-gc-ms-isq-7610-li-battery-electrolyte-an001124-na-en.pdf$readthefullapplicationnote."><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_001124_gc_ms_isq_7610_li_battery_electrolyte_an001124_na_en_4df8612386/an-001124-gc-ms-isq-7610-li-battery-electrolyte-an001124-na-en.pdf"><strong>read the full application note.</strong></a></a> For further details on how GC-MS can power your analysis, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/mass-spectrometry/gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry-gc-ms/gc-ms-systems/single-quadrupole-gc-ms.html"><strong>visit our website.</strong></a></p><h5><strong>Visit us on </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="LinkedIn: - open in a new tab" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/$linkedin:"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/"><strong>LinkedIn:</strong></a></a><strong> </strong>#LithiumIonBatteries #GCMS #BatteryMaterialAnalysis</h5><section><h4 data-uw-rm-heading="level" role="heading" aria-level="2"><strong>Adam Ladak</strong></h4><div itemprop="description">Adam Ladak is the global product marketing manager for GC quadrupole mass spectrometry at Thermo Fisher, based in the UK. He started his career working in a contracting testing lab analyzing sports supplements and horse feed for prohibited substances. He has over 20 years of experience in the analytical testing industry and has worked for leading instrument manufacturers in various roles from an application specialist to a global marketing role focused on food and environmental testing. Adam is passionate about utilizing our GCMS instrumentation to meet the customer needs and solve real world problems.</div></section></blockquote></div></div>

Electrifying Insights: How GC-MS is Powering Lithium-Ion Battery Analysis

<p><strong>Christmas are time of the year to celebrate and reflect on the year gone by, and to catch up with friends or family (or both). What better way to do it, than over your favourite drink (alcoholic or not). Coming from Scotland, my go-to festive tipple has always been Whisky (yes, that’s the way we spell it).&nbsp;</strong></p><p>A drink with such popularity, complexity and let’s be honest – some high price tags! Walk through any airport and marvel at the choice on offer and of course some eye watering prices. It’s a revered spirit with a history as rich as its flavor, has always been synonymous with tradition, craftsmanship, and quality. However, the increasing demand for premium whisky has led to a surge in adulteration practices, posing significant challenges for consumers and producers alike.&nbsp;</p><p>In this blog, we delve into the intricacies of whisky adulteration and explore how cutting-edge technology, specifically the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/472"><strong>Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris GC 240 mass spectrometer</strong></a>, is revolutionizing the fight against counterfeit whisky and ensuring your Christmas cheer is genuine.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1024/512;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_The_Spirit_of_Christmas_Ensuring_the_Quality_and_Authenticity_of_Whisky_3_33aa2173ac.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: The Spirit of Christmas - Ensuring the Quality and Authenticity of Whisky" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_The_Spirit_of_Christmas_Ensuring_the_Quality_and_Authenticity_of_Whisky_3_33aa2173ac.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="512"></figure><h3 id="h-understanding-whisky-adulteration" data-uw-rm-heading="level" role="heading" aria-level="2"><strong>Understanding whisky adulteration</strong></h3><p>Whisky adulteration can take several forms, each compromising the integrity of the spirit.</p><ol><li><strong>Artificial Whisky Creation: </strong>This involves mixing various chemicals to mimic the flavor and aroma of genuine whisky. The absence of safety controls over the quality and concentration of these chemicals raises health concerns.</li><li>&nbsp;Bottles may be falsely labelled with more expensive brands or incorrect maturation periods. This type of adulteration often involves adding artificial colours or using heat to accelerate the aging process, giving the appearance of a well-aged whisky without the time investment.</li></ol><p>For the consumer its hard, or even impossible, to distinguish between a budget blended whisky and a genuinely aged single malt whisky. Furthermore, how could you tell if a whisky had been aged for 10 years or 25 years (apart from the higher price). You can see the economic motivation for the whisky fraudster.</p><h3 id="h-the-role-of-advanced-technology"><strong>The role of advanced technology</strong></h3><p>To combat these sophisticated adulteration techniques, a robust and precise analytical approach is essential. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/472"><strong>Orbitrap Exploris GC 240</strong></a>, combined with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/36SP03M5"><strong>headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME Arrow)</strong></a><strong> </strong>via the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/422"><strong>Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH SMART Autosampler</strong></a>, offers a powerful solution for the comprehensive characterization of whisky.</p><h3 id="h-workflow-for-finding-the-differences"><strong>Workflow for finding the differences</strong></h3><p>The workflow shown in figure 1 for differential analysis of whisky using the <strong>Orbitrap Exploris GC 240 mass spectrometer</strong> is straightforward yet highly effective:</p><ol><li><strong>Sample Preparation:</strong> Whisky samples (100 µl) are aliquoted directly into vials and mixed with water (900 µl). After heating, SPME Arrow was used to sample from the vial headspace, which allows for efficient extraction of volatile compounds.</li><li><strong>Chemical Profiling: </strong>The samples are analyzed in EI full scan at 120,000 mass resolving power (FWHM m/z 200) using the Orbitrap Exploris GC 240. This provides comprehensive high-resolution and accurate mass data that enables the detection of subtle differences in the chemical profiles of different whisky samples.</li><li><strong>Data Analysis: </strong>The data is processed using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/mass-spectrometry/liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry-lc-ms/lc-ms-software/multi-omics-data-analysis/compound-discoverer-software.html"><strong>Thermo Scientific Compound Discoverer software</strong></a>, which incorporates a high-resolution accurate mass flavor and fragrance library. This facilitates the identification of compounds and comparison between samples.</li></ol><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:602/257;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_The_Spirit_of_Christmas_Ensuring_the_Quality_and_Authenticity_of_Whisky_2_dbdc69f6e0.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Figure 1. Workflow from left to right showing how from data acquisition in full scan we move from peak detection, to identifying unique components in a sample, to finally making a compound identification." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_The_Spirit_of_Christmas_Ensuring_the_Quality_and_Authenticity_of_Whisky_2_dbdc69f6e0.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="602" height="257"></figure><h3 id="h-case-study-identifying-adulteration"><strong>Case study: identifying adulteration</strong></h3><p>In the study reported in application note 003094: “Non-targeted analysis of whisky using <strong>SPME Arrow</strong> and <strong>Orbitrap Exploris GC 240 mass spectrometer</strong>”, the differential analysis of whisky samples revealed significant insights (figure 2). The principal component analysis plot for whiskies of different age statement shows clear chemical differences between the samples. We can dive deeper into the data to see what compounds drive that difference. For instance, comparing sample 2 and sample 3 the results highlighted compounds unique to sample 2, such as higher levels of 2,3 – methyl-1-butanol and Furfural. These compounds are typically associated with Scotch malt whisky and indicate a longer and different maturation process, suggesting that sample 2 is a genuine aged whisky compared to sample 3.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:602/350;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_The_Spirit_of_Christmas_Ensuring_the_Quality_and_Authenticity_of_Whisky_9d095fe6dc.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Figure 2. Principal component analysis loading plot of whisky samples based on identified chemical profile from Compound Discoverer software." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_The_Spirit_of_Christmas_Ensuring_the_Quality_and_Authenticity_of_Whisky_9d095fe6dc.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="602" height="350"></figure><h3 id="h-ensuring-quality-and-authenticity"><strong>Ensuring quality and authenticity</strong></h3><p>As the whisky market continues to grow, the importance of ensuring quality and authenticity cannot be overstated. Advanced analytical technologies like the <strong>Orbitrap GC-MS</strong> provide a <strong>powerful tool</strong> in the fight against whisky adulteration. By leveraging these technologies, producers can uphold the tradition and integrity of whisky, ensuring that every bottle delivers the genuine experience that consumers expect and deserve.</p><p>Whether you are a whisky enthusiast or a producer, understanding and utilizing these advanced technologies is key to preserving the heritage and quality of this beloved spirit.</p><p>So cheers, or as we say in Scotland “Slàinte Mhath” to authenticity and innovation in the world of whisky!</p><blockquote><section><h4><strong>Dominic Roberts</strong></h4><div itemprop="description">Dominic Roberts has been closely involved with the Thermo Scientific GC Orbitrap MS since its launch in 2015. He started at Thermo Fisher Scientific as a Senior Applications Specialist for the product and is currently the GC Orbitrap MS Product Marketing Manager. Dominic is an experienced analytical chemist and mass spectrometrist with more than 20 years of experience using state-of-the-art analytical systems. He has worked in both a regulatory and industrial environment with GC–MS and LC–MS systems to investigate a variety of chemicals in food, biological, and environmental samples.</div></section></blockquote>

The Spirit of Christmas: Ensuring the Quality and Authenticity of Whisky

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