PhD position Development of 3D-shaped LiAl-Layered Double Hydroxides adsorbents for direct Li extraction applications (NP)

Lithium, a pivotal element with exceptional properties, has risen as a critical raw material in various industries, particularly in energy storage. The widespread adoption of Li-ion batteries in portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems underlines its crucial role in advancing cleaner energy solutions.

In 2022, around 74% of global Li production was consumed by the Li-ion batteries, underscoring its central role. Recent assessments for the EU classify Li as a critical raw material based on supply risk and economic importance.

While traditional extraction methods involve hard rock mining, the focus has shifted to brine extraction due to its cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness.

There is a growing interest in sustainable Li extraction technologies. Direct Li extraction (DLE) including extraction from geothermal and unconventional sources, present opportunities for eco-friendly production. DLE, similar to shale's impact on oil, could revolutionize Li supply, potentially doubling production.

DLE is expected to transform the Li sector, offering a sustainable path for meeting the global Li demand. The DLE adoption is mainly influenced by advancements in Li-selective adsorbents.

Al-based adsorbents based on LiAl-LDH composition are one of the most promising adsorbents for lithium (Li) extraction, applied especially to salt lake brines, which are dependent on the neutral desorption in particular without dissolution damage.

The state of the art regarding the use of LiAl-LDHs focuses mainly on their use as powders. Some researchers report the use of LiAl-LDH in a shaped (granulated or pelletized) form, but only as a tool to demonstrate the Li+ recovery process in column setups. This is also the reason why the working adsorption capacity in dynamic conditions is reported as lower than obtained in static conditions. Thus, one major limitation is that the granulation step in any of these reports is never optimized for reducing the impact of granulation on the sorption performance.

The reported shaped LiAl-LDH adsorbents, as granulated or pelletized, show limitations in terms of adsorbent efficient use because the reactants can’t reach the pellets interior. It has to be considered that when shaping the powders into any 3D structure, not only the outer surface is of importance, but also the inner surface, which can be only accessed if both the surface and inner porosities are optimized. To overcome this limitation, the granules or pellets can be reduced in size, but this further leads to excessive pressure drops and high powder losses. 

Obtaining 3D structures with optimized shape, size and porosity is crucial for achieving high process performances during Li recovery. However, up to our knowledge, a systematic research focusing on optimizing the 3D shaping process to produce 3D structured LiAl-LDHs with open surface and inner inter-connected porous structure was not reported until now.

This PhD topic will focus on the preparation of microspheres by droplet coagulation technology which is rather new for the Li adsorbents, as this is a water based microsphere preparation mechanism and doesn’t require the use of organic solvents.

It is aimed to prepare 3D shaped LiAl-LDHs with open surface and inner inter-connected porosity characteristics, to overcome mass transfer and diffusion limitations during Li extraction under dynamic conditions.

The research will be mainly at VITO (CAST) and in close connection with University of Antwerp (LADCA) and you will build up knowledge on powder synthesis and scale-up, suspension formulation, microspheres preparation, materials characterization, Li sorption tests and analysis. 

How to apply?
Applications should be submitted online and include a copy of your CV, diploma transcripts and a cover letter. 

More information about the application procedure is available on the VITO website. 

Overview of the jury’s scheduled in 2025 and deadlines: https://vito.be/en/jobs/phd/phd-jury

• Master in Chemistry or Chemistry Engineering

• Strong analytical problem-solving skills

• Creative, critical and hand-on mentality

• Good oral and written communication skills in English