Combining Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy with the Standard Addition Method for Analyzing Impurity Elements in the Lithium Ore Mineral Spodumene

Spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) is a key lithium source mineral for energy storage devices, making the accurate and rapid analysis of its elemental composition crucial for the battery industry. This study explores the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) combined with the standard addition method to analyze Be, Na, and K in spodumene. The method achieved relative errors of 5%–15% compared to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), without requiring certified standards. To ensure accuracy, non-resonance emissions were used for Be and Na to minimize self-absorption effects. Although K analysis faced challenges due to strong self-absorption in resonance emissions, focusing on weak edge intensity reduced the relative error significantly. Our results suggest that LIBS combined with the standard addition method is a promising approach for lithium ore analysis, eliminating the need for certified standard materials and complex sample preparation steps such as acid digestion and high-factor dilution.