A Complete Electrolyte Profile
This packaged analysis delivers everything you need to fully characterize a battery electrolyte — from the major solvents down to trace degradation products and elemental impurities.
Scope of analysis
- Quantification of solvents (e.g., EC, EMC weight ratio) and additives
- Lithium salt concentration (LiPF6, LiBF4)
- Detection of degradation products (LiPO2F2, HF)
- Full elemental survey via ICP-OES (40+ elements)
- Ionic conductivity from −20 °C to +80 °C
Deliverables
- Full written report with expert interpretation
- Quantitative results table (all techniques)
- NMR spectra with peak assignments
- GC-MS chromatograms and library matches
- EIS Nyquist plots and conductivity vs. temperature
- ICP-OES elemental table (detected + LOD values)
Typical Sample
Designed for liquid electrolyte formulations used in lithium-ion batteries — including commercial electrolytes, in-house formulations, and aged or cycled samples for stability studies. As-received, sealed samples accepted.
Example: 1.2 M LiPF6 in 3/7 (w/w) EC/EMC — nominal values verified with quantitative precision by our scientists.
Who This Is For
- Battery manufacturers verifying electrolyte purity
- R&D teams developing new electrolyte formulations
- QC labs screening incoming materials
- Failure analysts investigating cell degradation
- Regulatory submissions requiring certified data
Four Techniques. One Report.
Each technique targets a distinct property of the electrolyte, and the results are cross-validated for maximum confidence.
Identifies and quantifies volatile solvent components. Detects trace organic impurities using JEOL AccuTOF with <18.7 fg detection limit and NIST/Wiley 2023 library (>950,000 compounds).
Quantitative NMR on a 500 MHz JEOL ECZL-G. Determines solvent weight ratios and salt concentrations with quantitative precision; identifies fluorine-containing species including LiPF6, LiBF4, HF, and LiPO2F2.
Full elemental survey covering 40+ elements from sub-ppm to percent levels. Confirms metal content consistent with salt assignments and detects trace contaminants such as Si, Na, and B.
Air-free measurements using a glassy carbon | Pt two-electrode cell (rhd microsystems). Ionic conductivity determined at 12 temperatures from −20 to +80 °C.
What the Data Looks Like
Below is a representative results summary from a "Gen 2" commercial electrolyte (1.2 M LiPF6 in 3/7 w/w EC/EMC), showing the type of outputs you receive.
Classification | Component | Result | Technique |
Solvent | Ethylene Carbonate (EC) | 30.3 wt% | GC-MS, NMR |
Solvent | Ethyl Methyl Carbonate (EMC) | 69.7 wt% | GC-MS, NMR |
Salt | LiPF6 | 1.12 M | NMR, ICP-OES |
Impurity | LiBF4 | 0.0003 M | NMR, ICP-OES |
Degradation | LiPO2F2 | 0.001 M | NMR |
Degradation | HF | Not Detected | NMR |
Physical | Conductivity at 25 °C | 8.75 mS/cm | EIS |
Key Findings — Expert Interpretation Included
- Solvent composition matched the nominal 3/7 (w/w) EC/EMC ratio to within measurement uncertainty — confirming accurate formulation.
- LiPF6 at 1.12 M (nominal: 1.2 M) — slightly below spec, with potential implications for ionic conductivity at low temperatures.
- Trace LiPO2F2 detected — a known LiPF6 degradation product suggesting minor hydrolysis. No HF present, indicating degradation has not progressed to the dangerous phase.
- Trace LiBF4 and boron by ICP-OES point to likely cross-contamination during formulation — a finding that informs supplier quality discussions.
- No volatile organic impurities detected by GC-MS. Trace Si and Na identified by ICP-OES — consistent with container leaching.
Air-Free EIS Across −20 °C to +80 °C
Ionic conductivity is measured at 12 temperatures using an Ar-glovebox-loaded, temperature-controlled cell. Results inform electrolyte performance modeling across operational conditions.
Temp (°C) | Conductivity (mS/cm) |
−20 | 2.66 |
−10 | 3.77 |
0 | 5.06 |
10 | 6.49 |
20 | 7.99 |
25 | 8.75 |
30 | 9.54 |
40 | 11.2 |
50 | 12.9 |
60 | 14.5 |
70 | 16.3 |
80 | 18.0 |
From Sample to Report
Ship your sample and receive a complete, expert-authored report — no project management overhead on your end.
Submit a Quote Request
Describe your electrolyte and objectives. We'll confirm scope and turnaround.
Ship Your Sample
As-received, sealed containers accepted. Air-sensitive handling available.
Multi-Technique Analysis
GC-MS, NMR, ICP-OES, and EIS run in parallel by our PhD scientists.
Expert Report Delivered
Full report with data, spectra, tables, and written interpretation — delivered to your MyData portal.
Why choose Covalent for Battery Electrolyte Characterization?
Get a complete picture of your battery electrolyte — solvents, salts, impurities, and conductivity — in a single, expert-authored report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sample types can be submitted?
This analysis can be performed on most liquid lithium-ion battery electrolyte formulations, neat or aged. Cells may also be accepted in many cases, with electrolyte extraction performed by Covalent experts.
Can air-sensitive samples be handled?
Yes. Air-sensitive storage and handling is available.
What do I receive at the end?
A full written report with expert interpretation, quantitative results tables, NMR spectra, GC-MS chromatograms, EIS plots, and the ICP-OES elemental table — delivered to your MyData portal.