Application Note BATT1030
Introduction
Sodium-ion batteries are being developed as a next-generation battery to replace lithium ion batteries due to the abundance of resources and safety considerations. In particular, NaFeO₂ is expected to be a promising cathode material due to the abundance of its raw materials, Na and Fe. Compositional analysis is an important process in R&D and process control, and X-ray fluorescence analysis using the standardless FP method enables quick and easy evaluation of sample composition and impurities with simple pretreatment.
Elemental analysis
- Analysis: Sodium cathode material
- Use: Optimizing electrochemical performance
- Analyzed materials: NaFeO₂
Figure 1: Sample preparation: Pressure molding method
Table 1: Analysis results
| Main component (mass%) | Impurities (ppm) | ||||||||
| Na₂O | Fe₂O₃ | Al | Si | P | S | Cr | Mn | Cu | |
| XRF analysis value | 27.9 | 72.0 | 32 | 73 | 5 | 208 | 154 | 198 | 53 |
Table 2: Molar ratios of main components
| Main component (molar ratio) | ||
| Na | Fe | |
| Expected value | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| XRF analysis value | 1.03 | 1.00 |
Conclusion
Powder samples were pressed into pellet and subjected to X-ray fluorescence analysis using the standardless FP method. In the quantitative results obtained, the elemental ratios of Na and Fe were in good agreement with expected values. In addition, trace impurities in the range of a few ppm to 100 ppm such as Al, Si, and Cr were also detected, demonstrating the high sensitivity of this method and the effectiveness of simultaneous multi- element analysis. Using the standardless FP method, elemental compositions can be quickly and easily determined without standard samples.
Analysis method: Standardless FP analysis method
