Mechanochemistry for strategic metals recycling from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)

Context and objectives

Due to the energy transition, electric vehicles (EVs) sales are growing fast. While EVs do not release toxic microparticles and emit less CO2 during their life than traditional combustion engine vehicles, their end-of-life has to be optimized to limit pollution linked to the disposal of their batteries and to reduce polluting extraction of virgin raw materials. In fact, LIBs from EVs and other devices contain critical resources, such as metals from cathode materials (Co, Ni, Mn and Li) which have to be efficiently recovered from spent LIBs to secure their supply. Currently, strategic metals from spent LIBs are mainly recovered by hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes. These methods either generate large volumes of wastewater consuming large amounts of chemicals, or use huge amount of energy. To limit water, energy and chemicals consumption besides the secondary pollutions, new technologies have to be implemented.1,2
Mechanochemistry aims at performing chemical reaction by using ball milling. The impacts, frictions and shearing between the beads, the bowl and the reagents bring the required energy to allow reactions occurrence. Therefore, no heating is necessary and solvent-free reactions are possible.3,4
The goal of this project is to develop new technologies for metals extraction from spent LIBs. The mechanochemistry is one of the research axes. This internship aims at studying greener leaching/complexing species compatible with the mechanochemical extraction path to limit waste generation.

Missions

The project will be in support to a PhD thesis co-funded by the Occitanie region and the SNAM company (Viviez). During the internship, the candidate will have to find and test systems compatible with ball milling to leach and complex metals coming from cathode materials in order to limit the waste generation and chemical consumption. Attention will be paid to selectivity and efficiency of the extraction. The candidate will have to implement a procedure to quantify by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy the extracted species.

Required skills:

– Knowledge in solid state chemistry
– The candidate should be autonomous and curious to lead the project
– Solid chemistry characterization techniques (X-ray diffraction, optical spectroscopies (IR, Raman, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy…) will be appreciated
– Ability to critically interpret, summarize and share its results
– Rigor and precision for analytical chemistry
– An experience in mechanochemistry and/or coordination chemistry is appreciated but not mandatory

Searched profile:

Master 2 or National schools students specialized in chemistry / materials science with interest in green chemistry

Contacts:

Please, send your CV and cover letter by email to Joshua Vauloup: joshua.vauloup@etu.umontpellier.fr
Supervisor: Pr. Lorenzo Stievano

1. Neumann, J. et al. Recycling of Lithium‐Ion Batteries—Current State of the Art, Circular Economy, and Next Generation Recycling. Adv. Energy Mater. 12, 2102917 (2022).
2. Wang, R., Zhang, Y., Sun, K., Qian, C. & Bao, W. Emerging green technologies for recovery and reuse of spent lithium-ion batteries – a review. J. Mater. Chem. A (2022) doi:10.1039/D2TA03295C.
3. Baláž, M. Environmental Mechanochemistry. Environmental Mechanochemistry (Springer International Publishing, 2021). doi:10.1007/978-3-030-75224-8.
4. Dong, D. et al. Application of mechanochemical technology for removal/solidification pollutant and preparation/recycling energy storage materials. J. Clean. Prod. 348, 131351 (2022).