TY - CONF A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique T1 - Versatility of nitrogen microwave-induced plasma mass spectrometry in elemental and isotopic analysis N2 - The introduction of Nitrogen-based Microwave Inductively Coupled Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MICAP-MS) addresses the necessity for a plasma source that matches the capabilities of traditional argon-based Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) while exploiting the availability and cost-effectiveness of nitrogen gas. MICAP-MS uses nitrogen plasma, offering significant advantages such as reduced operational costs and eliminating specific isobaric interferences common in argon plasma systems [1]. This presentation explores the principles of MICAP-MS, highlighting its similarities to conventional ICP-MS in terms of analytical performance while emphasizing unique benefits like eliminating interferences from argon-based polyatomic species. MICAP-MS exhibits robust performance using nitrogen gas of varying purities—including ultra-high purity and industrial-grade nitrogen—without compromising analytical results [2]. We have applied MICAP-MS for multielement analysis in soil samples, serving as a proof of concept for environmental monitoring applications. The technique achieved figures of merit comparable to traditional ICP-MS, even when analyzing real-world samples with complex matrices [2]. MICAP-MS demonstrated high tolerance to high-concentration matrices, maintaining accuracy and precision without extensive sample preparation or matrix separation [3]. In clinical diagnostics, MICAP-MS was employed for the precise and traceable quantification of calcium, iron, and selenium in human serum using isotope dilution analysis [4]. These elements often face interferences in argon-based ICP-MS due to argon-associated isobaric interferences (40Ca+, 56Fe+, and 80Se+); however, MICAP-MS effectively overcomes these challenges, providing traceable and accurate determinations. The stability of the microwave plasma in MICAP-MS facilitates precise isotopic analysis. This capability investigated age-induced lithium isotope fractionation in lithium-ion batteries, offering critical insights into battery aging mechanisms and performance degradation [5]. MICAP-MS is a versatile analytical tool that combines the operational benefits of nitrogen plasma with the strengths of traditional ICP-MS. Its ability to handle complex matrices, reduce interferences, and perform precise elemental and isotopic analyses across various applications makes it a valuable instrument. T2 - European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 02.03.2025 KW - MICAP-MS KW - Nitrogen plasma KW - Isotope dilution analysis KW - Matrix tolerance KW - Argon interference elimination KW - Trace analysis PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63485 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Winckelmann, Alexander A1 - Roik, Janina A1 - Recknagel, Sebastian A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique A1 - You, Zengchao T1 - Investigation of matrix effects in nitrogen microwave inductively coupled atmospheric-pressure plasma mass spectrometry (MICAP-MS) for trace element analysis in steels N2 - We investigated the performance of nitrogen microwave inductively coupled atmospheric-pressure plasma mass spectrometry (MICAP-MS) under matrix effects and its applicability to trace element analysis in steels. Influences of different gas flows and ion optics on the matrix tolerance are studied, indicating that nebulizer gas flow has the most significant impact. Optimization of ion optics improves matrix tolerance for light elements due to the reduction of the inelastic collisional scattering effect. With optimized operating conditions, MICAP-MS achieves an internal standard intensity recovery of over 90% at an Fe concentration of 500 mg L−1. Even at an Fe concentration of 1 g L−1, the recovery remains above 80%. Three certified reference materials – non-alloy, low-alloy and high-alloy steel – were analyzed using MICAP-MS. The determined mass concentrations of the trace and minor components show metrological compatibility to the reference values. No significant differences are observed between the results obtained with aqueous and matrix-matched calibration, demonstrating the strong matrix tolerance of MICAP-MS, and its promising applicability to steel analysis. KW - MICAP-MS KW - Trace Analysis KW - Steel PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-576323 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ja00088e SN - 0267-9477 VL - 38 IS - 6 SP - 1253 EP - 1260 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-57632 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Morcillo, Dalia A1 - Winckelmann, Alexander A1 - Oelze, Marcus A1 - Leonhardt, Robert A1 - Schmidt, Anita A1 - Richter, Silke A1 - Recknagel, Sebastian A1 - Vogl, Jochen A1 - Panne, Ulrich A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique T1 - Exploring Age-Induced Lithium Isotope Fractionation in Lithium-Ion Batteries using Microwave-Induced Cold Nitrogen Plasma Mass Spectrometry N2 - This study explores Microwave-Inductively Coupled Atmospheric-pressure Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MICAP-MS) as a cost-effective alternative to Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) for analyzing lithium isotopic composition in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). We investigate the performance of MICAP-MS in measuring Li isotope ratios in new and aged commercial lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries. Our results show that MICAP-MS, operating under cold plasma conditions at 800 W with an 8 mm torch position, achieves results metrologically compatible with MC-ICP-MS, with a precision ranging from 0.6‰ to 3.4‰ for δ7Li values. MICAP-MS benefits from a dielectric resonator for uniform plasma, better ion velocity control, and higher energy efficiency. Optimal settings were identified with dwell times of 10 ms for 6Li and 1 ms for 7Li. The study of LIBs revealed that 6Li migrates towards the anode over multiple charge–discharge cycles, causing 7Li to accumulate in the cathode, a fractionation effect that becomes more pronounced with prolonged cycling. MICAP-MS provides a cost-effective, precise alternative to MC-ICP-MS, with lower operational costs and enhanced portability, advancing the study of isotopic fractionation and aging in lithium-ion batteries. KW - MICAP-MS KW - Lithium KW - Battery aging KW - Lithium isotopes KW - Nitrogen plasma KW - Isotope fractionation KW - lithium cobalt oxide KW - LCO PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-643777 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ja00324a SN - 0267-9477 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) AN - OPUS4-64377 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique T1 - Tracking Lithium-Ion Battery Ageing via Lithium Isotope Fractionation N2 - Lithium-ion batteries power portable devices, electric vehicles, and stationary power grids, yet hidden aging reactions still shorten their service life and raise concerns about cost and safety. An analytical proxy is needed to report these reactions and accelerate product development, quality control, and recycling. Here, we demonstrate that subtle shifts in the natural 7Li/6Li ratio accurately record the two decisive stages of cell aging, solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and field-driven aging, which can be detected using multi-collector ICP-MS. Because Li is easily stripped from digested electrodes or electrolyte in a one-step cation-exchange column, high-purity solutions reach the spectrometer in minutes. A streamlined MC-ICP-MS run yields a δ7LiLSVEC precision of 0.4 ‰, enabling dozens of battery fractions to be analyzed per day. Applying the workflow to LiCoO2 coin cells as models, sampled from pristine to 700 cycles, reveals a clear isotopic narrative. During the first ≈45 cycles, 7Li leaves the LiCoO2 lattice, dissolves into the electrolyte, and is locked in the SEI on graphite, driving cathode δ7Li from +8 to –10 ‰ and raising the anode to +13 ‰ while capacity drops by 10 %. After the interphase matures, the electric field takes over: the lighter 6Li migrates faster to the anode, 7Li accumulates in the contracting Li1-xCoO2 lattice, and the bulk separation factor rises to α≈1.045 by 700 cycles. The δ7Li curve flattens roughly 70 cycles before capacity falls to 80%, providing an early warning of end-of-life. Isotopic gradients scale linearly with impedance growth, SEI thickness, and crack density confirmed by LA-ICP-MS mapping, FIB-SEM, XANES, and EXAFS. Although each data point requires one cell, lithium-isotope fractionation provides direct, element-specific, and structural fatigue insight unavailable from non-destructive tests. The straightforward chemistry and fast MC-ICP-MS routine make the approach practical for targeted aging studies, additive screening, and forensic autopsies, complementing high-throughput electrochemical methods and supporting the design of longer-lived batteries. T2 - SciX 2025 CY - Covington, KY, USA DA - 05.10.2025 KW - Isotope KW - Lithium KW - MC-ICP-MS KW - MICAP-MS KW - Isotope fractionation KW - Battery PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64879 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -