TY - CONF A1 - Morcillo, Dalia T1 - High-resolution absorption isotopic spectrometry as a tool for aging studies of Li-ion batteries N2 - Lithium (Li) is the key element in the manufacturing of batteries. Isotopic study of Li may help to identify the causes of battery aging due to isotopic fractionation during charge/discharge cycles. Isotopic ratio determination is based on monitoring the isotopic components of lithium by their spin-orbit coupling and its isotopic shift of about 15 pm for the 22P←22S electronic transition around 670.788 nm. In this work, we propose improvements to our previous work [1] by using a higher-resolution double echelle modular spectrometer (HR-DEMON II) coupled to a continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (HR-CS-GF-AAS) for the isotopic analysis of Li. The data analysis was carried out by using a decision-tree-based ensemble machine learning (ML) algorithm (XGBoost). A set of samples with 6Li isotope amount fractions ranging from 0.0004 to 0.99 mol mol-1 was used for the algorithm's training. Subsequently, the procedure was validated by a set of stock chemicals (Li2CO3, LiNO3, LiCl, and LiOH) and a BAM candidate reference material, a cathode material (NMC111). Finally, the ML model was applied to determine the isotope ratio of geological samples, including anorthosite, granite, soil, rhyolite, nepheline syenite, and basalt and battery samples. These samples were measured as digested without any further purification step. Improvements in the optical resolution resolve the lithium isotopic components of the atomic spectra. In the studied geological samples, were found δ7Li values between -0.5 and 4.5 ‰ with a precision range of 1 to 2 ‰. In addition, the proposed method was validated with multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), and these results are comparable and compatible. T2 - Caltech-BAM Meeting CY - Online meeting DA - 10.08.2022 KW - Lithium isotope KW - Machine learning KW - Battery KW - High-resolution absorption isotopic spectrometry PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56380 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Winckelmann, Alexander T1 - Chemical characterization of aging processes in high energy-density lithium-ion batteries N2 - Introduction Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one key technology to overcome the climate crisis and energy transition challenges. Demands of electric vehicles on higher capacity and power drives research on innovative cathode and anode materials. These high energy-density LIBs are operated at higher voltages, leading to increased electrolyte decay and the current collectors' degradation. Even though this fundamental corrosion process significantly affects battery performance, insufficient research is being done on the aluminum current collector. Fast and convenient analytical methods are needed for monitoring the aging processes in LIBs. Methods In this work glow-discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) was used for depth profile analysis of aged cathode material. The measurements were performed in pulsed radio frequency mode. Under soft and controlled plasma conditions, high-resolution local determination (in depth) of the elemental composition is possible. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with a focused ion beam (FIB) cutting and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used to confirm GD-OES results and obtain additional information on elemental distribution. Results The aging of coin cells manufactured with different cathode materials (LCO, LMO, NMC111, NMC424, NMC532, NMC622, and NMC811) was studied. GD-OES depth profiling of new and aged cathode materials was performed. Quantitative analysis was possible through calibration with synthetic standards and correction by sputter rate. Different amounts of aluminum deposit on the cathode surface were found for different materials. The deposit has its origin in the corrosion of the aluminum current collector. The results are compatible with results from FIB-EDX. However, GD-OES is a faster and less laborious analytical method. Therefore, it will accelerate research on corrosion processes in high energy-density batteries. Innovative aspects - Quantitative depth profiling of cathode material -Monitoring of corrosion processes in high energy-density lithium-ion batteries - Systematic investigation of the influence of different cathode materials T2 - ANAKON 2023 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.04.2023 KW - Lithium Ion Batteries KW - GD-OES KW - Depth-profiling PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58586 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Winckelmann, Alexander T1 - Investigation of degradation of the aluminum current collector in lithium-ion batteries by glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy N2 - Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one technology to overcome the challenges of climate and energy crisis. They are widely used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, or as storage for renewable energy sources. However, despite innovations in batteries' components like cathode and anode materials, separators, and electrolytes, the aging mechanism related to metallic aluminum current collector degradation causes a significant drop in their performance and prevents the durable use of LIBs.[1] Glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) is a powerful method for depth-profiling of batteries' electrode materials. This work investigates aging-induced aluminum deposition on commercial lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries' cathodes. The results illustrate the depth-resolved elemental distribution from the cathode surface to the current collector. An accumulation of aluminum is found on the cathode surface by GD-OES, consistent with results from energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) combined with focused ion beam (FIB) cutting. In comparison to FIB-EDX, GD-OES allows a fast and manageable depth-profiling. Results from different positions on an aged cathode indicate an inhomogeneous aluminum film growth on the surface. The conclusions from these experiments can lead to a better understanding of the degradation of the aluminum current collector, thus leading to higher lifetimes of LIBs. T2 - European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry (EWCPS 2023) CY - Ljubljana, Slovenia DA - 29.01.2023 KW - Lithium-ion batteries KW - Aging mechanisms KW - Depth-profiling PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-56992 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Winckelmann, Alexander T1 - Investigation of degradation of the aluminum current collector in lithium-ion batteries by GD-OES N2 - Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one technology to overcome the challenges of climate and energy crisis. They are widely used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, or as storage for renewable energy sources. However, despite innovations in batteries' components like cathode and anode materials, separators, and electrolytes, the aging mechanism related to metallic aluminum current collector degradation causes a significant drop in their performance and prevents the durable use of LIBs. Glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) is a powerful method for depth-profiling of batteries' electrode materials. This work investigates aging-induced aluminum deposition on commercial lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries' cathodes. The results illustrate the depth-resolved elemental distribution from the cathode surface to the current collector. An accumulation of aluminum is found on the cathode surface by GD-OES, consistent with results from energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) combined with focused ion beam (FIB) cutting. In comparison to FIB-EDX, GD-OES allows a fast and manageable depth-profiling. Results from different positions on an aged cathode indicate an inhomogeneous aluminum film growth on the surface. The conclusions from these experiments can lead to a better understanding of the degradation of the aluminum current collector, thus leading to higher lifetimes of LIBs. T2 - Empa Group Meeting CY - Dübendorf, Switzerland DA - 22.11.2022 KW - Lithium Ion Batteries KW - GD-OES KW - FIB KW - SEM KW - EDX PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56584 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rodrigues, Leticia T1 - Tracing Copper Fungicide Uptake and Distribution in Pea Plants and Soil Using 65Cu Isotope Labeling N2 - Copper-based fungicides are commonly used in grain farming to prevent yield losses and undesirable changes in organoleptic properties. However, the ingestion of these compounds can pose significant health risks to humans and animals when exposed through the oral route of absorption. To evaluate whether copper from foliar-applied fungicides can be absorbed and translocated to edible plant tissues, this study investigates the mobility of copper from a copper oxychloride fungicide using 65Cu as a stable isotope tracer. A greenhouse system was established to grow peas (Pisum sativum L.) and simulate agricultural fungicide applications. The 65Cu-labeled copper oxychloride fungicide was synthesized in-house and fully characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Three applications of the fungicide (0,073g of total copper) were performed in a greenhouse pea growing system, while a control system received ultrapure water. After each application, surface soil, pods, and grains were collected, dried, ground, and digested. Total copper concentrations were measured via ICP OES, and 63Cu/65Cu isotopic ratios were analyzed using ICP-MS. Trends in isotopic ratio and total copper accumulation are visualized through the time series below, indicating the fungicide’s mobility and its accumulation in plant tissues and soil. Samples exposed to the copper fungicide exhibited markedly reduced 63Cu/65Cu isotopic ratios, indicating the uptake of the 65Cu tracer. Pod samples from the treated system showed a sharp decrease, especially after the first application. In the control grains, isotopic ratios stayed consistent throughout the experiment, reflecting the absence of direct contact with the fungicide. Conversely, grains from the treated system showed a consistent decrease in isotopic ratio values throughout the three applications. This pattern suggests a possible mechanism for absorbing or transferring copper isotopes from the pods to the grains, indicating the potential for internal contamination of edible plant tissues, even when the fungicide is applied externally. A similar trend was observed in the topsoil: while isotopic ratios remained constant in the control soil, the treated soil showed a consistent decrease after each application. These findings indicate that the copper fungicide is not only absorbed by aerial plant parts but also accumulates in the soil over time. Altogether, the use of 65Cu isotope tracing proved highly effective in assessing the systemic mobility, transfer, and environmental persistence of copper-based fungicides under controlled greenhouse conditions. T2 - 17th Rio Symposium on Atomic Spectrometry (17th RSAS) CY - São Pedro City, Brazil DA - 09.11.2025 KW - Isotope tracer KW - Cu isotopes KW - Copper-based fungicides KW - Soil KW - Food safety KW - Pea plants PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64955 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - INPR A1 - Glauber, J.-P. A1 - Lorenz, J. A1 - Liu, J. A1 - Seifert, M. A1 - Hoffmann, V. A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique A1 - Rogalla, D. A1 - Harms, C. A1 - Wark, M. A1 - Nolan, M. A1 - Devi, A. T1 - High Quality Crystalline VN Thin Films via MOCVD from a New Vanadium Precursor: Linking Growth Chemistry to Functional Catalytic Surfaces N2 - Vanadium nitride (VN) has been identified as a promising material for numerous applications including electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR). For such applications, catalyst nanoengineering will help to experimentally test its theoretically predicted eNRR activity, but the majority of investigated VN catalysts are prepared by fabrication methods that do not allow for nanoengineering to the required degree. Herein, we report on a new metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process for the growth of high quality, facetted and crystalline VN thin films relevant for eNRR applications. N,N’-diisopropylformamidinato [V(dpfamd)3] was identified as a promising precursor as it possesses favorable thermal properties relevant for MOCVD. The application of [V(dpfamd)3] in a MOCVD process with NH3 as co-reactant yielded crystalline VN thin films on Si substrates with high compositional purity. With the potential of using the catalytic activity of VN towards eNRR, the structure-property correlation is of relevance and in this context, the thin films were subjected to complementary analysis including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in combination with nuclear reaction analysis (RBS/NRA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on the observation of the significant influence NH3 has on the growth characteristics, we conducted first principles density functional theory (DFT) simulations of the precursor reactivity in the absence and presence of NH3 towards VN, supporting experimental findings of energetically more favorable decomposition of [V(dpfamd)3] to VN in the presence of NH3. Process transfer from Si to conductive Ti substrates, relevant for prospective electrochemical testing, revealed comparable VN thin film properties rendering these films promising for further investigation of eNRR applications in follow up studies. KW - Metal nitrades KW - MOCVD KW - Nitrogen reduction reaction KW - Precursors KW - DFT PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-648600 DO - https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-1t4gq SP - 1 EP - 25 AN - OPUS4-64860 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rua-Ibarz, Ana A1 - Nakadi, Flávio V. A1 - Bolea-Fernandez, Eduardo A1 - Bazo, Antonio A1 - Battistella, Beatrice A1 - Matiushkina, Anna A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique A1 - Resano, Martín T1 - Discrete entity analysis via microwave-induced nitrogen plasma–mass spectrometry in single-event mode N2 - In this work, single-event microwave-induced nitrogen plasma–mass spectrometry (single-event MINP-MS) was evaluated for the first time for the analysis of discrete entities such as nanoparticles, biological cells, and microplastics. Nitrogen (N2) effectively overcomes Ar-based polyatomic interferences, enabling (ultra)trace element determination of Fe and Se using their most abundant isotopes, 56Fe (91.66%) and 80Se (49.82%). Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) ranging from 20 to 70 nm were accurately characterized, with excellent agreement with established sizing techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). A limit of detection (LoD) of 8.6 ag for Fe─equivalent to an LoDsize of 19 nm for Fe2O3─was achieved, which is significantly lower than recent values reported for high-end quadrupole-based ICP-MS. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) of 150 and 250 nm were also accurately characterized, without the N2-based plasma experiencing issues handling relatively large metallic NPs (linearity, R2 = 0.9994). Se-enriched yeast cells (SELM-1 certified reference material) were successfully analyzed via single-cell MINP-MS using external calibration based on SeNPs and a transport efficiency-independent approach. In addition, 2–3 μm polystyrene (PS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were accurately sized by monitoring 12C+, confirming the method’s suitability for handling micrometer-sized polymeric materials (microplastics). The average duration of individual events (680 ± 160 μs) suggests that the digestion of individual entities in N2-based plasmas is comparable to that in Ar-based plasmas. These results open new avenues for this instrumentation as an alternative to ICP ionization sources, also in the context of discrete entity analysis. KW - Microwave-Induced Nitrogen Plasma KW - Discrete entity analysis KW - Particle/droplet event counting KW - Comparison to SP-ICP-MS methodologies KW - Nitrogen plasma vs. argon ICP trade-offs KW - Trace elemental quantification at the single-entity level KW - Time-resolved mass spectrometry for discrete entities PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-643825 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5c04341 SN - 0003-2700 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - American Chemical Society (ACS) AN - OPUS4-64382 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 - Data-Driven Spectrochemical Sensing for Elemental and Isotopic Analysis—from Energy Systems to Biomedicine N2 - High-resolution optical spectrometers generate spectra containing tens of thousands of data points per sample. Picometre-scale isotope shifts, matrix-induced line broadening, and strong inter-feature correlations render classical peak fitting unreliable. Current analytical challenges, therefore, require rigorous algorithms able to expose latent structure, quantify uncertainty, and remain chemically interpretable. The research program presented in this lecture integrates state-of-the-art spectrochemical instrumentation with mathematically disciplined data models. Principal Component Analysis and Partial Least Squares provide chemically meaningful latent variables, while gradient-boosted decision trees or deep neural networks (ANNDL) capture residual non-linearity without sacrificing traceability. All models are trained on isotope-enriched or synthetically generated spectra and distributed with full validation workflows. Two research areas illustrate this strategy: (1) Isotopic analytics for materials, environment, and medicine. (2) Data-fusion diagnostics for battery ageing and failure. T2 - Temple University: Mechanical Engineering Transformative Science and Technology Engineering Lecture Series CY - Philadelphia, PA, USA DA - 02.10.2025 KW - Isotope KW - Data analysis KW - Machine learning KW - Elemental analysis KW - Battery PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64877 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique A1 - Jegielka, Dennis A1 - Aloysius, Allen A1 - Recknagel, Sebastian T1 - SI-traceable total analysis of nitrate and nitrite by isotope dilution optical spectroscopy and its application to Berlin surface waters N2 - Accurate nitrate and nitrite data support water-quality regulation, yet routine methods rely on external calibration and rarely achieve SI traceability. We report a calibration-free determination of nitrate and nitrite by combining isotope dilution with high-resolution continuum-source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (ID-HR-CS-GF-MAS). A 15N-enriched nitrate spike (its concentration verified by reverse isotope dilution against the standard reference material NIST 3185) provides the SI link, and it is gravimetrically added to samples; nitrate and residual nitrite are converted in situ to nitric oxide (NO), whose 215 nm band is recorded at a pixel resolution of λ/Δλ ≈ 140 000. The 0.2127 nm shift between 14NO and 15NO electronic spectra is resolved, and a three-latent-variable partial least squares regression model yields the 15N/14N ratio with 0.3% precision. Instrumental LoD values of 4.8 ng (14N) and 3.2 ng (15N) translate to a method LoD of 4.8 ng of nitrogen (equivalent to 1.05 mg L−1 NO3− for a 20 μL aliquot). The furnace program allows for successive drying/pyrolysis loops, so additional 20 μL aliquots can be layered onto the graphite platform. Alternatively, a 10 mL anion-exchange solid-phase extraction step concentrates nitrate and nitrite fivefold, allowing for the analysis of even lower sample concentrations. Results for four certified reference materials (2.9 to 1000 mg L−1 NO3−) agreed with certified values, giving relative expanded uncertainties of 2 to 4%. Analysis of twenty Berlin surface-water samples revealed concentrations ranging from 0.10 to 7.3 mg L−1 NO3−, indicating that the Panke River and Teltow Canal are the primary sources of nitrogen. ID-HR-CS-GF-MAS thus delivers ID-MS-level accuracy in a few minutes per run with bench-top optics, and, with optional on-platform or SPE pre-concentration, extends SI-traceable nitrate/nitrite monitoring into the low-ng regime. KW - Isotope dilution KW - Nitrate and nitrite determination KW - SI-traceable quantification KW - Calibration-free analysis KW - Water quality KW - Berlin surface waters KW - NO molecular absorption bands PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-643785 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/D5JA00252D SN - 0267-9477 VL - 40 IS - 10 SP - 2692 EP - 2701 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) AN - OPUS4-64378 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 - TY - CONF A1 - Mesquita Silva da Veiga, Marcia T1 - Ultrasonic-assisted leaching of Li and Co from black mass using deep eutectic solvent N2 - The recovery of critical metals from spent lithium-ion batteries is a key strategy for sustainable resource management and the circular economy. Conventional hydrometallurgical processes typically rely on strong mineral acids and elevated temperatures, which, although effective, generate hazardous waste and demand high energy inputs. As a greener alternative, deep eutectic solvents (DES) combine low toxicity, non-volatility, simple synthesis, and tunable physicochemical properties, making them promising media for selective metal recovery1-2. Here, we report for the first time the use of ultrasound (US) to assist the leaching of Li and Co from LiCoO₂ black mass employing a deep eutectic solvent based on choline chloride and formic acid (ChCl:HCOOH, 1:2 molar ratio). The DES was synthesized at 90 °C for 3 h under stirring (300 rpm) and was characterized in terms of its molecular structure and formation by 1H-NMR and FT-IR, as well as by its viscosity and density. For each experiment, ~0.100 g of LiCoO2 was treated with 5 g of DES-FA in an ultrasonic bath (35 kHz, 60 °C) for different irradiation times (30–120 min), followed by three sequential extractions. All measurements were performed by ICP OES. Lithium solubilization reached ~80% at 90 min, while cobalt extraction was stabilizing at ~79% after 120 min. The enhanced performance under US is attributed to sonochemical effects that promote cavitation and microjets, leading to the disruption of particle agglomerates, the thinning of diffusion layers, and the generation of highly reactive local environments. These processes accelerate deintercalation and mass transfer within the solid–liquid interface. Combined with the mild acidity of DES-FA, which enables simultaneous leaching of both metals while favoring faster kinetics for Li, ultrasound provided a synergistic effect that enhanced the overall process and preserved the distinct extraction profiles of Li and Co. The extraction behavior of the two metals can be explained by their different speciation in the DES-FA medium. Cobalt is likely reduced from Co(III) to Co(II) by formic acid and stabilized through the formation of chloro-complexes such as [CoCl4]2- with chloride anions from ChCl, favoring its solubilization. In contrast, lithium does not form stable complexes with chloride under these conditions. It is primarily extracted as a solvated cation, stabilized by the extensive hydrogen-bond network of the DES. This difference accounts for the faster leaching kinetics observed for Li compared to Co. Selective recovery was achieved by pHcontrolled precipitation, with cobalt oxalate at pH 4-5 and lithium carbonate at pH 10. The Eco-Scale score of 85 confirmed the greenness of the method. This pioneering approach highlights the potential of coupling DES chemistry with ultrasound. Together, they represent a sustainable and efficient route for recovering critical metals from battery waste. T2 - 17th Rio Symposium on Atomic Spectrometry (17th RSAS) CY - São Pedro City, Brazil DA - 09.11.2025 KW - Black mass KW - deep eutectic solvent KW - Lithium KW - Cobalt KW - Lithium-ion battery recycling KW - Ultrasound-assisted extraction KW - Lithium and cobalt recovery KW - Green hydrometallurgy PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64956 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Battistella, Beatrice T1 - Isotopic Fractionation in Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs): A New Key to Understand Degradation N2 - The presentation summarizes the research work of division 1.6 on Li isotope fractionation in Li-ion batteries (LIB). This work interrogates whether changes in Li isotopic distribution in LIB components can be used as a diagnostic tool to monitor interphases growth at the electrodes surfaces and as a benchmark to track battery degradation. For this purpose, different analytical techniques have been employed to study the electrodes of commercial and lab-scale cells, providing bulk (MC-ICP-MS) and local (GD-MS, LA-ICP-MS) information about the Li isotope distribution changes upon cells cycle aging. The results show Li isotope fractionation in full Li ion cells upon aging, suggesting that the 6Li accumulation on the surface of the negative electrode might be used as a new benchmark to track the solid electrolyte interphase growth T2 - ADLERSHOFER KOLLOQUIUM Analytik – Abteilung 1 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 28.10.2025 KW - MC-ICP-MS KW - Li-ion Batteries KW - Li Isotopes KW - LA-ICP-MS KW - GD-MS PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64511 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Klinge, A A1 - Mönig, J A1 - Ziegert, C A1 - Richter, Matthias A1 - Kalbe, Ute A1 - Horn, Wolfgang A1 - Röhlen, U A1 - Rauscher, S A1 - Roswag-Klinge, E T1 - upMIN 100 – upcycling of mineral construction and demolition waste to substitute natural aggregates in earthen building materials N2 - The construction sector is one of the most resource-intensive sectors in Germany and is responsible for 40 % of CO2 emissions. Around 517 million tons of mineral raw materials are required annually for the construction of buildings in Germany. At the same time, mineral construction waste was the largest material flow at 229.3 million tons (2020). The rates of construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling have increased since 2000, especially for mineral waste. Nevertheless, the majority of recycled aggregates are used in technically largely unregulated applications (e.g. road construction). This downcycling leads to a loss of valuable resources for technically and economically valuable applications. The upMIN 100 research project is investigating the question of whether and to what extent recycled CDW is suitable as an additive an binder in earthen building materials. The focus is placed on grain sizes of < 2 mm, which are currently predominantly landfilled, as there are at present no regulations for their use in building products. The soil matrix of earthen building materials however, naturally contains of different grain sizes, whith < 2mm – 0,063 for aggregates and < 0.063 mm as a binder. Therefore, the focused grain sizes (sand, clay and silt) could have a high usage potential. In order to enable the use of CDW, the technical feasibility must be ensured, quality requirements for source materials (e.g. threshold values for pollutants in terms of health and environmental compatibility and hazardous substances) and permissible proportions of recycled aggregates must be defined. Two different building material developments (earth blocks and -plaster)were used to assess both, the technical feasibility as well the pollutant content of the recycled aggregate and its final emissions into the indoor air. For both materials two mixtures could be established, that also meet the mechanical specifications according to the DIN standard, such as the compressive strength. A method was developed to design material mixtures with a high amount of CDW that comply with the defined limit values. The mixtures reached a recycling rate of 28 % with high mechanical properties and 70 % with minimum strength requirements. KW - Mineral waste KW - Upcycling KW - Earthen building product KW - Circular construction PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-652831 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1554/1/012084 SN - 1755-1307 VL - 1554 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - IOP Publishing AN - OPUS4-65283 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Chapartegui-Arias, Ander A1 - Raysyan, A. A1 - Belenguer, A. M. A1 - Jaeger, Carsten A1 - Tchipilov, Teodor A1 - Prinz, Carsten A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique A1 - Beyer, S. A1 - Schneider, Rudolf A1 - Emmerling, Franziska T1 - Tailored mobility in a zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF) antibody conjugate N2 - Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) hybrid fluorescent nanoparticles and ZIF antibody conjugates have been synthesized, characterized, and employed in lateral-flow immunoassay (LFIA). The bright fluorescence of the conjugates and the possibility to tailor their mobility gives a huge potential for diagnostic assays. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as label, proved the integrity, stability, and dispersibility of the antibody conjugates, LC-MS/MS provided evidence that a covalent link was established between these metal-organic frameworks and lysine residues in IgG antibodies. KW - ZIF KW - ELISA PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-532096 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202100803 SN - 0947-6539 SN - 1521-3765 VL - 27 IS - 36 SP - 9414 EP - 9421 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-53209 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - INPR A1 - Morcillo, Dalia A1 - Oelze, Marcus A1 - Seena Prem, Pranav A1 - de Oliveira Guilherme Buzanich, Ana A1 - Emmerling, Franziska A1 - Recknagel, Sebastian A1 - Panne, Ulrich A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique T1 - Lithium isotope fractionation as an early indicator of degradation mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries N2 - Aging in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) degrades performance and hinders sustainability, demanding advanced diagnostics for early failure prediction. We investigate lithium isotope fractionation (LIF) as an innovative probe of degradation in lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) coin cells aged over 0−700 cycles. High-precision multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) quantified δ7Li variations across cell stages: non-cycled (0 cycles), newly formed (5 cycles), semi-aged (250 cycles), and fully aged (700 cycles). During early cycling (≤ 45 cycles), chemical processes drive 7Li enrichment at the anode (δ7Li vs LSVEC = +12 ‰) through solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, while the cathode depletes in 7Li (δ7Li vs LSVEC = −0.7 ‰). Beyond 45 cycles, electric field-induced migration predominates, promoting 6Li intercalation into the anode and increasing the δ7Li of the cathode by 8.1 ‰. Mass balance verifies isotope conservation, attributing shifts to redistribution and trapping. Complementary electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy and diffraction confirm SEI expansion, cobalt oxidation, lattice shrinkage, and changes in electrode structure, corroborating LIF trends. Notably, a δ7Li inflection at approximately 270 cycles anticipates end-of-life by 70 cycles, surpassing traditional methods in sensitivity. LIF emerges as a predictive indicator of aging mechanisms, informing optimized designs for durable LIBs. KW - Lithium isotope fractionation KW - Lithium-ion batteries KW - Degradation mechanisms KW - LiCoO2 cathodes KW - LCO KW - Isotopic tracing KW - Lithium isotopes PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-650945 DO - https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-16lvq SP - 1 EP - 19 AN - OPUS4-65094 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tuma, Dirk A1 - Mady, A. H. A1 - Baynosa, M. L. A1 - Saad, M. A1 - Dhakal, G. A1 - Kim, W. K. A1 - Shim, Jae-Jin T1 - Morphology-engineered hollow NiTiO₃/C–Ag/Ag₃PO₄ S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst: mechanistic insights into sunlight-driven tetracycline degradation N2 - Tetracycline (TCH), a widely used antibiotic, persists in aquatic and terrestrial environments, posing ecological risks and accelerating antibiotic resistance. To address this, we report a hollow-structured NiTiO₃/C–Ag/Ag₃PO₄ (NT/C–AAP) photocatalyst—the first hollow-type nickel titanate—synthesized via a self-template solvothermal route followed by photodeposition. The catalyst integrates key design strategies—hollow architecture, oxygen vacancies, carbon coating, and an S-scheme heterojunction—to optimize photocatalytic performance. The hollow structure enhances light harvesting via internal scattering, oxygen vacancies facilitate O2 adsorption and superoxide (O₂•⁻) generation, and the S-scheme heterojunction effectively suppresses electron–hole recombination while preserving strong redox potential. NT/C–AAP achieved 96% TCH degradation within 1 h and 82% mineralization in 3 h under solar light, far exceeding core–shell (18%) and aggregated (47%) NiTiO₃-based catalysts. Complete removal was realized within 40 min under 400 W visible light. The catalyst maintained 96% activity after five cycles, confirming excellent durability. Compared with previously reported NiTiO₃ photocatalysts, NT/C–AAP delivered a 50–400% performance enhancement arising from its engineered hollow structure and improved electronic properties. Mechanistic studies identified O₂•⁻ and •OH radicals as dominant species, validating the role of morphology and interface engineering in directing charge separation and redox activity. Additionally, a catalyst performance index was proposed to facilitate comparison across diverse conditions. Overall, this work introduces a novel, durable photocatalyst that links structural design to functional performance and demonstrates strong potential for practical environmental remediation. KW - Heterojunction photocatalyst KW - Photodegradation KW - Tetracycline PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-655946 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-025-01600-x SN - 2522-0128 VL - 9 IS - 2 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - Springer Nature CY - London AN - OPUS4-65594 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Bayat, Mehmet Emin T1 - Traceable dynamic and gravimetric preparation of trace ammonia in hydrogen gas standards for ISO 14687 N2 - Trace ammonia impurities in hydrogen fuel poison proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), causing irreversible performance degradation. Accurate quantification of ammonia in so-called Grade D hydrogen fuel is crucial for ensuring PEMFCs long-term operational stability and performance. According to ISO 14687 grade D hydrogen fuel sets a stringent threshold value of just 100 nmol/mol for ammonia impurities. Given the potential of an ammonia-based hydrogen supply chain, reliable quantification of ammonia contamination appears even more relevant. Hydrogen quality assessments for ammonia impurities typically employ techniques such as gas chromatography, cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy, or mass spectrometry. These techniques, however, require stable reference gases for calibration and long-term method validation. Typically, gravimetrically produced reference gases are used. However, ammonia poses unique challenges due to its chemical reactivity and stickiness. By applying (ultra )long-path Optical Feedback Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy we observed that above a certain amount of ammonia, the gravimetric amount deviates from the analytically determined amount. This discrepancy most likely arises due to strong adsorption of ammonia onto the inner surface of the gas cylinder. Therefore, we investigated the lowest gravimetrically preparable amount of ammonia in hydrogen for which the analytically measured amount of the cylinder remains congruent with the gravimetric amount of substance. We further investigated the applicability of passivated cylinders for trace ammonia gas standards and compared their performance to aluminum alloy cylinders. To confirm reproducibility of our results, we conducted three independent gravimetric preparation campaigns, each employing optimizations, or changes in methodology, at different times. Finally, we investigated whether those gravimetrically prepared trace amounts of ammonia in hydrogen gas standards were long-term-stable. Beyond gravimetrically prepared gas standards, we evaluated how a cutting-edge dynamic dilution system could reliably extend trace-ammonia calibration down to the ISO limit of 100 nmol/mol. For this purpose, we developed an advanced dynamic dilution system capable of a one-in-a-billion dilution ratio, validated for its SI traceability, reproducibility, and operational limits by applying an internal standard. In summary, our results demonstrate that precise dynamic dilution, coupled with concentrated gravimetrically prepared ammonia gas mixture, provides a route to full SI-traceable trace-ammonia reference sample gases. T2 - Gas Analysis Symposium 2026 CY - Paris, France DA - 27.01.2026 KW - Ammonia KW - Hydrogen KW - Gravimetric preparation KW - OF-CEAS KW - ISO 14687 PY - 2026 AN - OPUS4-65620 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - INPR A1 - Battistella, Beatrice A1 - Revill, Adam A1 - Venzago, Cornel A1 - Hoffmann, Volker A1 - Agudo Jácome, Leonardo A1 - Al-Sabbagh, Dominik A1 - Recknagel, Sebastian A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique T1 - Depth-Resolved Lithium Isotope Fractionation as a Diagnostic of Interphase Evolution and Degradation in Lithium Ion Batteries N2 - Lithium isotopic fractionation is well-established in dynamic geochemical systems; however, its role in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) remains uninvestigated. Herein, we report the first depth-resolved demonstration that isotopic separation occurs during Li-ion cell operation whose magnitude depends on the cycling history. Using depth-resolved glow discharge mass spectrometry, we monitored the 7Li/6Li ratio in LiNi0.333Mn0.333Co0.333O2 (NMC111)||graphite coin cell electrodes at defined life-cycle stages. Different charging rates were examined to get mechanistic insight into kinetic and thermodynamic control in the fractionation process. Although pristine electrodes exhibit a uniform isotopic ratio, cycled electrodes show a distinct 7Li enrichment in the positive electrode and a corresponding accumulation of 6Li at the surface of the negative electrode. The degree of isotopic separation varies with the charging rate. Isotopic signatures correlate with capacity fading, indicating lithium isotope mapping as a sensitive diagnostic tool for tracking electrode degradation and the evolution of the electrode–electrolyte interphases in LIBs. KW - Li-ion batteries KW - Lithium isotopes KW - Post-mortem analysis KW - GD-MS KW - Depth profile KW - Mass spectrometry PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-651287 DO - https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-5rvlk SP - 1 EP - 19 AN - OPUS4-65128 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Battistella, Beatrice T1 - Plasma-Based Analytical Approaches for the Investigation of Li-ion Battery Degradation N2 - The research conducted at the Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing (BAM) focuses on key challenges of the energy transition, spanning hydrogen technologies, electrical energy storage, and renewable energy systems. In the field of energy storage, our primary areas of interest include the safety of electrical energy storage systems, sustainable energy materials, and advanced battery diagnostics. One of our central objectives is to deepen our understanding of the processes contributing to lithium-ion cell degradation, an essential step toward improving next-generation systems and meeting the rapidly growing demand for lithium-ion battery technology. The complexity of these systems, which comprise organic and inorganic compounds in multiple aggregation states, presents significant analytical challenges. To address these challenges, we are developing novel analytical methods to further expand our insight into battery degradation mechanisms. Using GD-MS for depth-resolved lithium isotope analysis, we have recently established a correlation between lithium isotope fractionation and the growth of electrode–electrolyte interphases at electrode surfaces. In addition, we are developing GD-OES and LIBS methods for depth-resolved and lateral fluorine analysis, respectively, of lithium-ion battery electrodes to monitor electrolyte and additive degradation. These approaches might also provide valuable analytical tools for assessing the homogeneity of fluorinated active materials. T2 - Berkeley Lab - Prof. Dr. Zorba group seminar (Energy Technologies Area) CY - Berkeley, CA, USA DA - 27.02.2026 KW - Li-ion Batteries KW - Li Isotopes KW - Diagnostic on batteries PY - 2026 AN - OPUS4-65695 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -