What's in in your batteries?

July 22, 2025

Microwave-assisted sample preparation of α-spodumene: A simple procedure for analysis of a complex sample.

Raw materials in the Li-ion industry are often complex matrices, which requires aggressive sample preparation conditions. The following study is focused on the development of a reliable protocol for the chemical analysis of a raw material, the α-spodumene, using microwave sample preparation. The aluminosilicate structure of α-spodumene has to be destroyed through the sample preparation in order to bring all the target elements in solutions and perform their analysis.
Taking into account the technological relevance of Li-ion batteries for electric vehicles, the authors describe how a simple and practical procedure without using concentrated HF was developed for chemical analysis of α-spodumene.

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