Determination of stoichiometry of Li1+yCoO2 materials by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and automated potentiometric titration

A rapid, accurate and precise analytical method to determine the stoichiometry of pure, excess lithium and magnesium-doped Li_1+yCoO₂ materials is described. The method is based on the determination of lithium, cobalt and magnesium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after dissolution of samples in dilute hydrochloric acid. Five-point calibration curves using aqueous standard solutions have been constructed for all the analytes. Relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of five repeated measurements are better than 0.3% for all metals when the absorbance signal of analytes is set near the middle of the regression lines.The total oxygen content is indirectly determined by potentiometric titration of average oxidation state of cobalt. The Co³⁺ present in the oxide powders is reduced to Co²⁺ at room temperature with a known excess of 0.1 M Fe²⁺ solution in 6 M sulphuric and phosphoric acid mixture. The samples completely dissolved in a few minutes developing a pink coloured and clear solution. The excess of Fe²⁺ ions is back titrated with potassium dichromate standard solution using automated potentiometric end-point detection. The difference between the total cobalt content (found by AAS) and Co³⁺ (found by potentiometric titration) gives the amount of Co²⁺ present in the materials. The S.D. of the determined Co³⁺ value has been estimated to be below 0.03 mg for samples of 10-20 mg. By the proposed method the LiCoO₂ is well characterised and can be applied as a standard reference material for use in lithium batteries technology.