Application of ICP-OES for monitoring of PbSO 4 content in plates used in production of lead-acid batteries

A rapid, accurate, and precise ICP-OES procedure for determination of lead sulfate in lead-acid batteries plates was elaborated based on the measurement of the sulfur emission line. Optimal parameters of spectrometric measurements were selected and accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility were estimated. The proposed analytical ICP-OES procedure was validated through the analysis of certified reference materials, and a good agreement between the ICP-OES results and the reference values was obtained. It was proved that the ICP-OES method is more accurate and precise than the routine gravimetric method. Additional advantages of the elaborated method over the routine one are high speed of total analysis and elimination of toxic barium chloride.