Rolling over interferences: How triple quadrupole ICP-MS facilitates the analysis of challenging samples for electric vehicles

Significance of the Topic

The surge in electric vehicle production is driving a need for precise analysis of battery components, especially nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathodes. Ensuring raw material purity is critical for battery performance and longevity, yet complex sample matrices and low-yield analytes challenge conventional single quadrupole ICP-MS methods. Triple quadrupole ICP-MS offers enhanced interference removal and lower detection limits for demanding elements.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates how triple quadrupole ICP-MS overcomes analytical obstacles in battery material testing. It compares results from single and triple quadrupole instruments, focusing on cathode materials, electrolyte components, and other battery parts. The goal is to demonstrate consistent interference suppression and reliable quantification of difficult elements.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Sample Preparation:

• NCM cathode solid standards acid digested with aqua regia in a microwave system
• Dilution to 1% total dissolved solids in 1% nitric acid
• Calibration by gravimetric dilution of single element standards

Instrumentation:
Thermo Scientific iCAP TQe ICP-MS with argon gas dilution, PLUS torch for silicon analysis, and high matrix or high sensitivity inserts. A collision/reaction cell was operated in helium KED and O2 reaction modes to remove polyatomic interferences and achieve trace detection.

Key Results and Discussion

• Arsenic and selenium quantification: TQ-O2 mode eliminated NiO+ and CoO+ interferences, reducing false positives from tens of milligrams per kilogram to accurate sub-milligram levels
• Silicon, phosphorus and sulfur detection: Reactive oxygen cell gas achieved detection limits around 0.02 to 0.03 micrograms per liter, with blank equivalent concentrations below 1.2 micrograms per liter
• Precision: Ten repeated analyses at 1 microgram per liter showed relative standard deviations below 2% for all elements

These results confirm that triple quadrupole ICP-MS provides robust interference removal and sensitive detection in complex battery matrices.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Improved quality control of raw battery materials and cathodes
• Accurate monitoring of trace impurities that can affect battery life
• Enhanced regulatory compliance for critical elements
• Streamlined lab workflows with automated sample dilution and interference filtering

Future Trends and Opportunities

The triple quadrupole ICP-MS approach can be extended to new battery chemistries and emerging materials. Further optimization of cell gases and hardware elements promises additional detection limit improvements. Integration with automated process analytics and battery production lines may enable real-time monitoring of material quality and accelerated development cycles.

Conclusion

Triple quadrupole ICP-MS combined with reactive oxygen gas and optimized hardware delivers interference-free quantification of challenging elements at ultra-trace levels. This advanced technique addresses the stringent quality requirements of electric vehicle battery analysis and supports reliable material characterization.

References

• Product Spotlight 44485 Thermo Scientific iCAP Qnova Series ICP-MS PLUS Torch for improved analysis of challenging samples
• Technical Note 1092 Addressing the challenge of measuring difficult elements using triple quadrupole ICP-MS