Raman-spectroscopic investigation of sulfate ion concentration change in a continuously stirred tank reactor during the preparation of a cathode material precursor

The concentration of sulfate ions was continuously monitored by Raman spectroscopy during the preparation of cathode material precursors. The obtained spectra were used for the quantitative analysis of sulfate ions by comparison with a reference solution, and a gradual increase of sulfate ion concentration was detected. Using a mathematical approach, a time-dependent equation describing sulfate ion concentration was theoretically derived, and the calculated concentrations were compared with the measured ones, showing good agreement between these values. Due to the increased sulfate ion concentration, the metal hydroxide cathode precursor became more contaminated with elemental sulfur. Two as-obtained hydroxide powders with different sulfur impurity contents were calcined with a lithium source, producing cathode materials. Electrochemical analysis of the prepared cathode materials showed that morphological aspects (such as particle size) more highly affected the cathode performance more than the sulfur impurity content.