Elemental Testing For Battery Technology And The Energy Sector
By Exeter Analytical (UK) Ltd in Coventry
The rapidly evolving battery technology industry demands absolute precision in material composition. From electric vehicles and consumer electronics to grid-scale energy storage, the performance, safety, and longevity of batteries hinge on the purity and exact elemental stoichiometry of every component. Elemental testing is therefore not just a quality control measure; it's a critical enabler for innovation, manufacturing excellence, and risk mitigation.
1994
EST.
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​Precision Chemistry for the Next Generation of Batteries: The Foundation of Performance & Safety
At Exeter Analytical, we specialise in comprehensive elemental analysis for battery technology, providing the crucial insights needed across the entire battery lifecycle. We apply robust analytical techniques to accurately determine the composition of raw materials, active components, electrolytes, and recycled battery materials. Our services are vital for:
Battery Cell & Pack Manufacturers:
Ensuring consistency, purity, and performance of final products.
Cathode & Anode Material Producers:
Verifying elemental ratios, detecting impurities, and optimising material synthesis.
Electrolyte & Separator Suppliers:
Confirming the purity of solvents, salts, and membrane materials.
Battery Recyclers:
Characterising spent batteries for valuable element recovery and safe waste management.
Research & Development Teams:
Accelerating material discovery, optimizing formulations, and understanding degradation mechanisms.
Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance:
Meeting stringent safety standards and environmental regulations.
Why is Elemental Testing Crucial for Battery Technology?
Performance Optimisation:
Precise elemental control of active materials (e.g., lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese) directly impacts energy density, power output, and cycle life.
Safety & Thermal Stability:
Detecting even trace contaminants (e.g., iron, copper, moisture) that can lead to internal shorts, dendrite formation, or thermal runaway, preventing hazardous events.
Raw Material Purity:
Ensuring that incoming materials meet exact specifications, preventing costly issues further down the production line.
Contaminant Identification:
Pinpointing impurities introduced during manufacturing or processing that can degrade battery performance or compromise safety.
Quality Control & Consistency:
Maintaining batch-to-batch uniformity in critical battery components.
Recycling & Resource Recovery:
Accurately characterising the elemental content of spent batteries to maximize the recovery of valuable materials and minimise environmental impact.
Failure Analysis:
Diagnosing the root cause of battery degradation, capacity fade, or safety incidents by analysing elemental changes.
Regulatory Compliance:
Adhering to increasing global regulations concerning hazardous substances in batteries and sustainable battery production.
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Our Advanced Elemental Testing Techniques for Battery Materials
At Exeter Analytical, we employ analytical techniques to deliver accurate and reliable elemental data tailored specifically for the complex materials found in the battery industry. Our laboratory is equipped to precisely identify and quantify a wide range of metallic and non-metallic elements, often at trace levels, in various battery components.
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A cornerstone of our capability for battery materials is our expertise in Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) digestion. Many advanced battery components, particularly certain cathode materials (e.g., lithium metal oxides, silicates), ceramics, and glass-fibre separators, are highly resistant to conventional acid digestions. Our specialised and carefully controlled HF digestion procedures safely and effectively dissolve these challenging matrices, allowing for the complete elemental analysis of these critical battery constituents. This meticulous sample preparation is then followed by highly sensitive analytical methods to precisely determine the elemental composition. Get in touch with our team in Coventry for further details.
Applications:
Comprehensive Material Characterization: Determining the precise elemental stoichiometry of cathode (e.g., Li, Co, Ni, Mn, Al, P) and anode (e.g., C, Si, Sn) materials.
Trace Impurity Analysis: Detecting and quantifying critical elemental impurities (e.g., Fe, Cr, Cu, Zn, Na, K, Mg, Ca) in active materials, foils, and electrolytes that can negatively impact battery performance or safety.
Electrolyte Component Analysis: Quantifying elements within electrolyte salts and solvents.
Organic & Elemental Composition: As specialists in elemental analysis, we are uniquely positioned to determine the precise percentages of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), and Sulphur (S). This fundamental analysis is vital for understanding organic battery components, carbonaceous anodes (e.g., graphite), and polymeric separators.
Common Elements & Materials Analysed in Battery Technology
Our testing capabilities cover a broad spectrum of elements and material types critical to battery performance and safety:
Active Materials:
Lithium (Li), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Phosphorus (P), Aluminium (Al), Titanium (Ti), Vanadium (V).
Anode Materials:
Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Tin (Sn), Germanium (Ge), Lithium (Li).
Electrolyte Components:
Lithium (Li), Phosphorus (P), Fluorine (F) – from salts like LiPF6, LiFSI; Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Chlorine (Cl) – as potential impurities.
Current Collectors & Foils:
Copper (Cu), Aluminium (Al).
Contaminants:
Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S), Chlorine (Cl), Heavy Metals (e.g., Pb, Cd, Hg, As).
Organic & Inorganic Frameworks:
Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Sulphur (S).
Materials:
Cathode powders, anode materials (graphite, silicon), electrolyte solutions, separator membranes, current collector foils, conductive additives, battery cells (components extracted).
Partner with Exeter Analytical for Trusted Battery Elemental Testing
When it comes to elemental testing for the battery technology industry, unparalleled accuracy, rapid turnaround, and deep analytical expertise are paramount. highly skilled chemists, and commitment to quality ensure that you receive precise, actionable data every time.
Contact Exeter Analytical today to discuss your elemental testing needs.
024 7632 3223