Gulf Coast Conference 2024

11:05 – 11:10 a.m.

Introductions/Housekeeping

11:10 – 11:40 a.m.

Automated salt removal and dilution for online analysis of unprocessed lithium battery electrolytes using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Electrolyte analysis in batteries is crucial for verifying composition and detecting impurities. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is ideal for this due to the volatile nature of electrolyte components. However, electrolytes can't be injected directly because of the conducting salt, LiPF6, which must be removed first. An automated workflow for analyzing unprocessed electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries is proposed by means of the Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH SMART robotic autosampler. This automated process includes removing LiPF6 via precipitation and centrifugation, and diluting to various levels for GC-MS analysis of major components, additives, and degradation products.
Speaker: Oliver Reyes, Product Management Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

11:40 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry as a tool for battery component forensics
In lithium-ion batteries, the electrolyte provides a conductive medium for lithium ions to move between electrodes. Degradation mechanisms are often unknown, with no reference materials available. Research has used low-resolution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and other techniques to identify compounds. This study shows the identification of known carbonate dimers using GC-HRAM-MS as part of a targeted analysis. The objective was to identify carbonate substructures by detecting known species and screening for lower abundance related compounds through accurate mass fragmentation and chromatographic features.
Speaker: Amit Gujar, Product Applications Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

12:10 – 1 p.m.

Software solutions to drive efficiency: Streamlining operations to support your petroleum and lithium battery operations
Comprehensive software solutions are necessary to drive efficiency and streamline operations across industries. Organizations are looking to improve inventory management, increase real-data data insights, enhance quality control, and streamline workflows to accelerate productivity and efficiency. Specific to petroleum and lithium battery operations, advanced technologies and innovative software allow organizations to optimize their production processes, enhance data management, and ensure regulatory compliance. This seminar will provide insight into the value of comprehensive software solutions created to maximize operational efficiency in the petroleum and lithium battery sectors.
Speaker: Barry Hamilton, Sr Product Applications Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

1 – 1:30 p.m.

Interference free elemental analysis of photovoltaic grade silicon by ICP-MS
Renewable energy sources have become critical in addressing concerns related to carbon emissions. One such key renewable technology is photovoltaic cells. The material used in the cells are typically doped with phosphorus or boron. ICP-MS can be used for the elemental analysis of these materials. However, samples containing higher levels of matrix elements such as silicon can affect performance of the ICP-MS adversely. In addition phosphorus, is affected by polyatomic and isobaric interferences caused by the matrix. This presentation will focus on the development of a fast, robust, and accurate method for the analysis of bulk and trace elements in photovoltaic material using ICP-MS.
Speaker: Bhagyesh Surekar, Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

1:30 – 2 p.m.

Optimized sample analysis of materials associated with Li-ion batteries by ICP-OES
The recent growth in lithium-ion battery production has seen a need for the element analysis of materials associated with every stage of the battery life cycle from development to recycling. ICP-OES is often used as the technique of choice for this analysis due to its versatility and matrix handling capability. This paper will explore the sample pre-treatment process and plasma parameters, together with rigorous selection of the most suitable analyte emission lines for a range of different samples associated with the lithium battery life cycle.
Speaker: Bhagyesh Surekar, Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

2 – 2:30 p.m.

Analysis of Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte by Anion-Exchange Ion Chromatography
With an increasing demand for improved lithium-ion battery (LIB) performance, reliable methods to analyze their components and impurities are crucial for every stage from analysis of raw materials to development research, manufacturing quality control, and recycling. We developed a method for the analysis of not only the most common electrolyte salts, but also common electrolyte trace contaminants in a single run. Simulated electrolyte, consisting of several lithium salts and trace contaminants in the mixture of carbonates, was analyzed by anion exchange chromatography, showing excellent resolution of critical LIB components.
Speaker: Alex Semyonov, Sr Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

9 – 10 a.m.

FTIR /Raman theory and sample handling
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a quick, reliable, non-destructive technique that uses molecular vibrations to identify and study chemicals. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is the main method used to execute IR spectroscopy. With IR spectroscopy, a user can identify compounds, functional groups in organic molecules, and the interaction between a molecule and its local environment, as well as perform quantitative analysis such as concentration measurements, to name a few. There are several techniques in FTIR spectroscopy, such as drifts, attenuated total reflectance, and transmission. This presentation will cover the theory of FTIR spectroscopy, the different sampling techniques, and their applications.
Speaker: Dr. Andrew Schmitz, Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

11 – 11:35 a.m.

Microspectroscopic sampling – FT-IR and Raman microscopy
This workshop will highlight the advantages of using Infrared and Raman microscopy techniques to analyze micro-scale materials. The presentation will illustrate various applications of both microscopy techniques and the advantages of each based on the type of materials being analyzed.

11:35 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Affirma software – FTIR spectroscopy for in-service lubricant analysis
Over the past 40 years, FTIR methods have been widely used to analyze used lubricants and contaminants, allowing users to identify potential lubricant issues or mechanical failures. The ASTM Standard E2412 released almost 20 years ago, has set the industry-standard method for monitoring additive depletion, base stock degradation, and contaminant build-up using FTIR spectroscopy. Consequently, FTIR spectroscopy has been a critical tool for predictive maintenance programs across industries.
Speaker: Dr. Andrew Schmitz, Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

1 – 2 p.m.

FT-IR spectral interpretation and problem-solving
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies and analyzes molecular vibrations. The molecule's characteristics, such as mass, bonding strength, and shape, will determine where the FTIR peaks lie in the spectrum. These peaks can determine what functional groups exist along with chemical identification via FTIR spectroscopic libraries. This presentation will introduce FTIR spectral interpretation and use spectroscopic libraries for functional group and chemical identification.
Speaker: Dr. Andrew Schmitz, Product Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

2:10 – 3:10 p.m.

This workshop will cover Omnic software, the popular platform for running Thermo Fisher FT-IR, FT-NIR, and Raman spectrometers. A live software demonstration will be given to highlight Omnic's features, including data collection from a working spectrometer. A live demonstration of TQ software will illustrate FTIR, FT-NIR, and Raman's quantitative and qualitative methods. Suggestions will be given on diagnosing chemometric methods to ensure they accurately predict. Some pitfalls will be covered to avoid improperly modeled methods. In addition, an overview of Macros/Basic automated workflow software will be given. This software is designed to build pre-program quantitative predictions. The Macros language can also automate many other software functions, like basic kinetic routines.
Speaker: Cam MacIsaac, Sr Sales Representative, Thermo Fisher Scientific