Analytical Solutions for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Significance of the Topic

Lithium-ion batteries (LiB) are essential for decarbonizing transportation and energy storage. Their complex multi-material structure—from electrode active materials to electrolytes and modules—demands robust analytical strategies to ensure quality, performance, safety, and sustainability throughout the battery life cycle.

Objectives and Study Overview

This whitepaper from Shimadzu highlights comprehensive analytical solutions tailored to LiB R&D, manufacturing quality control, degradation analysis, and recycling evaluation. It aims to present:

• An overview of global electric vehicle adoption trends driving analytical demands
• Categorization of analytical needs across raw materials, electrode production, cell assembly, and recycling
• Examples of instrumentation and methodologies enabling targeted evaluations

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

Shimadzu’s portfolio covers diverse analytical techniques across all battery stages:

• Particle Analysis: Laser diffraction (SALD-2300), dynamic image analysis (iSpect DIA-10)
• Elemental/Composition: ICP emission (ICPE-9820), X-ray fluorescence (EDX-7200), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA-8050G)
• Structure and Morphology: X-ray CT (inspeXio SMX-225CT), micro-compression testing (MCT Series), scanning probe microscopy (SPM-Nanoa)
• Thermal and Physical Properties: DSC/TG (DTG-60), universal testing machines (AGX-V2, EZ Test)
• Chemical Bond and Surface Analysis: XPS (AXIS Supra+), FTIR-Raman (AIRsight), GC-MS (GCMS-QP2050), LC-MS (LCMS-2050)

Main Results and Discussion

Shimadzu’s instruments enable:

• Detailed particle size, shape, and surface area analysis to optimize electrode slurries and black mass recycling
• Sensitive multi-element impurity detection in electrode materials, electrolytes, and recycled precursors
• Non-destructive internal imaging of cells and modules to detect structural defects and ensure uniform assembly
• Thermal stability and mechanical strength evaluation for separators, electrodes, and binders to improve safety margins
• Molecular-level surface chemistry mapping (XPS, FTIR/Raman) to study solid electrolyte interphase formation and electrolyte decomposition

Benefits and Practical Applications

The integrated analytical approach supports:

• Quality control in battery raw materials and manufacturing processes, ensuring uniform performance and longevity
• Accelerated R&D of novel electrode chemistries and all-solid-state battery designs
• Safety assessments through thermal runaway and leak detection analyses
• Efficient recycling workflows by characterizing black mass, optimizing pretreatment, and validating reclaimed materials

Future Trends and Opportunities

Analytical requirements will evolve with emerging battery technologies:

• All-solid-state and high-nickel cathode chemistries demanding advanced micro-scale imaging and spectroscopy
• In situ and operando analyses for real-time monitoring of charge-discharge reactions
• AI-assisted data interpretation to correlate multi-modal measurements with performance predictions
• Automated high-throughput screening of recycled materials for circular economy integration

Conclusion

A holistic analytical framework is vital to advance lithium-ion battery innovation, from raw materials to end-of-life recycling. By leveraging specialized instrumentation and tailored methodologies, stakeholders can achieve higher performance, enhanced safety, and sustainable resource utilization.