Battery Materials Analysis

Today’s advanced batteries require a range of specialized analytical tools to better understand the electrochemical processes that occur during battery cycling. Eurofins EAG has helped the battery industry with a wide range of materials characterization services for supply chain, materials R&D, and failure analysis.

Raw Materials

The chemical purity of raw materials in battery production is of utmost importance to today’s materials engineers. Even the presence of such small levels of unwanted contaminants may influence the characteristics of materials in terms of physical, electrical, or other properties; thereby, adversely affecting the reliability of the final product. Systematic inspection of raw materials prior to production can aid in the detection and identification of sources of unwanted impurities. Eurofins EAG offers numerous techniques to determine the trace or ultra-trace level impurities in a wide variety of advanced materials.

Manufacturing Process

With increasing demands for higher battery performance and improved safety, a better understanding of the factors affecting performance, life cycle and possible failure mechanisms is essential. Measuring the chemical state of the cathode, anode, separator, electrolyte, contact layers and additives, at various stages of cycling, provides vital information about the electrochemical processes that occur during battery use. Eurofins EAG offers elemental and molecular analyses using different analytical tools to address this need. We also offer microscopy techniques to investigate morphology, particle size, particle coatings, mixing efficiency and defects. These techniques also include elemental mapping capabilities which can provide further valuable information about elemental composition and location/distribution.

Application / Use

When a battery fails or there is a decrease in battery performance, materials analysis is needed to investigate the root cause of the problem. At Eurofins EAG, we offer services to assess battery performance using our various failure analysis techniques. We can disassemble batteries and isolate materials or components in question. Using a controlled environment specifically for moisture sensitive battery materials, we have the ability to transfer samples to instruments for analysis without exposure to air or moisture. Our wide range of materials characterization and microscopy techniques can provide detailed analytical data to help support the investigation.

Recycle

As the lithium-ion battery market continues to grow, there has been an increased need for the raw materials used in battery production. Recycling materials from old batteries, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and other elements, is an alternative to mining. Not only does it help sustain our environment, but it also has a positive impact on our economy. A concern that may arise in battery recycling is the quality of the recycled materials. At Eurofins EAG, our purity services can accurately determine lower level elemental impurities and can help ensure that your recycled materials are of the highest purity. Learn more.

With our many years of experience in working with battery materials, our technical experts have been exposed to a variety of problems throughout the battery life cycle. From identifying impurities in raw and recycled materials to understanding and improving the manufacturing process and application, we work closely with our clients to help identify and solve problems. As the battery industry continues to evolve, Eurofins EAG Laboratories is your partner to bring your product to market faster and more efficiently.