Lithium ion batteries are essential power sources in portable electronics, electric vehicles and as energy storage devices for renewable energies. During harsh battery cell operation as well as at elevated temperatures, the electrolyte decomposes and inter alia organo(fluoro)phosphates are formed due to hydrolysis of the conducting salt lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6). Since these phosphorus-containing decomposition products possess a potential toxicity based on structural similarities compared to chemical warfare agents, quantification is of high interest regarding safety estimates. In this study, two comprehensive approaches for the precipitation of highly concentrated PF6¯ were investigated, allowing the separation from target analytes (organo(fluoro)phosphates) and improving mass spectrometry-based quantification techniques. Trimethyl phosphate was used as a polar, non-acidic organophosphate reference substance for method development via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Six solvents were examined regarding precipitation reaction and selectivity. Thermally degraded electrolytes were analyzed after precipitation by means of gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, demonstrating the applicability of the developed sample preparations. The optimized method was applied successfully without influencing any volatile and non-acidic decomposition products. Using optimized conditions, a precipitation rate of 98% PF6¯ was achieved. Consequently, a fast and easy sample preparation for gas chromatographic investigations on lithium ion battery electrolytes was implemented, applicable for routine analysis.
Keywords: Electrolyte decomposition; Hexafluorophosphate precipitation; Lithium ion battery; Sample preparation.
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