Open Access

The introduction of HR-CS-MAS instrumentation, as it is shown in Fig. 1, provides a new way for the determination of non-metals including fluorine via molecular absorption. We present a sensitive and fluorine-specific method for total fluorine determination in fifteen consume care products in which perfluordecalin were declared (nail polishes, eye shadows and body creams). After pyrohydrolytic digestion of samples, fluorine content was determined by GF-HR-CS-MAS. Calcium was used as a molecule forming element and the molecular absorption of calcium monofluoride (CaF) at the wavelength 606.440 nm was used for its quantification. No matrix effect was observed. Analytical signal depends only on the fluorine concentration and therefore pure sodium fluoride NaF was used as calibration standard. The use of zirconium oxide nanoparticles as permanent modifier improves the limit of detection (from 0.2 to 0.1 ng) and characteristic mass (from 0.10 to 0.05 ng) from a previous reported method. These results were also compared with ISE method (standard DIN 51-084) and no significant difference was found

Heavy alcohol induces several chronic diseases, including cirrhosis. Consequently, cirrhotic patients need liver transplantation. However, alcoholic patients are not suitable for this. How can be physicians sure of non-alcohol consumption of a potential organ receptor? Monitoring of biomarkers by mass spectrometric techniques is today the most suitable option. This subject was discussed at the Graduate School of Analytical Science Adlershof (SALSA) in Berlin, as a part of a lecture series in analytical science.

High-resolution continuum source molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-MAS) has been apply for the determination of non-metals and isotope analysis, extending so the application range of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). This seminar is divides in two main parts. First, here is presented a comprehensive mechanistic study of molecule formation in graphite furnaces, a key step into the recovery of analytical signals in AAS and MAS. Therefore, a well-known system for fluorine determination was studied: the molecule formation of CaF, with Zr as permanent modifier. Through a kinetic approach, an Arrhenius behaved pseudo first order reaction respect to F- was observed and by spectroscopic methods (XPS, XAS, EDX) an intermediate state was possible to be elucidated. Here it is proposed a mechanism, where zirconium works as heterogeneous catalyst: after a pyrolytic step, it is activated the intermediate ZrO(OCaF) and at higher temperatures, CaF(g) is released from the zirconium-coated graphite surface. Second, we have developed analytical methods using HR-CS-MAS as detector for quantification of fluorine in consume-care products with declared per-fluorinated ingredients. Ad, the high resolution of the instrumentation allows identify isotopic shifts in some observed molecular spectra. Consequently, the molecular spectra of enriched isotopes of B were investigated and so the potential of HR-CS-MAS for the determination of isotopic ratios is established.

For the purpose of finding suitable molecules applicable to sulfur determination and to compare their analytical sensitivity systematically, high-resolution overview molecular absorption spectra of sulfides of group 14 elements produced in a graphite furnace were investigated. To that end a modular simultaneous echelle spectrograph (MOSES) was used, which allows recording sub-ranges of spectra out of a total wavelength range from 190 nm to 735 nm. The combined overview spectra show a complex structure with many vibrational bands, each of them consisting of a multitude of sharp rotational lines. The absorption of rotational lines of SiS (282.910 nm), GeS (295.209 nm), SnS (271.578 nm), and PbS (335.085 nm) has been analyzed for optimizing the particular experimental conditions regarding to the sulfur determination. Using the commercial CS AAS instrument contrAA 600 under optimized conditions such as the temperature program, the modification of the platform with Zr and the use of chemical modifiers, the achieved characteristic masses for sulfur are 12 ng (CS), 15.7 ng (SiS), 9.4 ng (GeS), 20 ng (SnS), and 220 ng (PbS). The first four sulfides provide an analytical sensitivity with roughly the same level, but the GeS molecule seems to be the best one with respect to analytical sensitivity and flexibility in molecular formation control. The PbS molecule provides the lowest analytical sensitivity, and together with its low bond strength it is not recommended for sulfur determination.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are central to modern energy storage technologies, powering applications from portable electronics to electric vehicles and grid storage systems. Their popularity comes from their high energy density, efficiency, and extended cycle life. However, over time, various aging mechanisms lead to capacity loss, increased internal resistance, and, ultimately, battery failure. Understanding and predicting these aging processes is crucial for enhancing the reliability and longevity of LIBs. This necessity makes the development of advanced diagnostic tools essential. This study uses plasma-based spectrometry techniques to explore lithium isotope fractionation (LIF) as a predictive tool for monitoring LIB aging and degradation. Mass spectrometric techniques —including MC-ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS, and MICAP-MS— were employed to analyze lithium isotopic composition in both new and aged lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cells, including lab-made coin cells and commercial batteries. An isotopic fractionation was identified during electrochemical cycling: 6Li migrates towards the anode, while 7Li accumulates in the cathode. These isotopic patterns correlate with structural degradation, including solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth and crack formation, as confirmed by FIB-SEM, XANES, and EXAFS analyses. This correlation demonstrates that LIF aligns with key aging mechanisms in model coin cells and commercial batteries, such as capacity fade and impedance growth. LIF provides a powerful diagnostic tool for battery health monitoring and aging prediction by linking isotopic fractionation to structural degradation. This approach offers significant potential to extend battery lifespan and improve the reliability of energy storage systems.