PhD Studentship: Electrochemical Lithium Extraction (ELITE)

Join a world-leading, cross-continental research team

The University of Exeter and the University of Queensland are seeking exceptional students to join a world-leading, cross-continental research team tackling major challenges facing the world’s population in global sustainability and wellbeing as part of the QUEX Institute. The joint PhD programme provides a fantastic opportunity for the most talented doctoral students to work closely with world-class research groups and benefit from the combined expertise and facilities offered at the two institutions, with a lead supervisor within each university. This prestigious programme provides full tuition fees, stipend, travel funds and research training support grants to the successful applicants. The studentship provides funding for up to 42 months (3.5 years).

Project Description

Electrochemical lithium extraction offers an appealing method for extracting lithium from low-concentration brine lake water or seawater, without the need for the time-consuming evaporation process. The basic principle of this system involves two main approaches: (1) driving lithium ions with an external electric current either into an electrode or (2) through a lithium-selective membrane. For example, TiO2-coated LiFePO4 electrode material combined with a pulse electrochemical method was used to adsorb lithium ions from seawater (Joule 2020, 4, 1459.). However, the adsorption suffers from slow kinetics and material degradation by competing ions. The alternative method employs a lithium-ion selective membrane, allowing only lithium ions to be electrically mobilized across it, while other cations are blocked due to crystal mismatch, remaining in the original electrolyte. Typically, the membrane consists of a lithium ion-conducting material, similar to those used as solid electrolytes in all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. For example, NASICON-type (Li1+xAlyGe2-y(PO4)3, LAGP) (Joule 2018, 2, 1648.) and glass-type (Li0.33La0.56TiO3, LLTO) (Energy Environ. Sci. 2021, 14, 3152.) lithium-ion conductors have been used in this system. As shown in the figure, by continuously introducing seawater or brine water on the anode side, lithium-ion concentration can be increased on the cathode side. Lithium salt precipitation in the cathode side aqueous electrolyte or lithium metal deposition on cathode with organic electrolyte can be achieved. Simultaneously, byproduct such as Cl2/O2 and H2 gases are generated on the electrodes. Although this design has been demonstrated in several publications, significant challenges persist, such as the low selectivity ratio of lithium ions, slow kinetics for the lithium transport, low lithium generation rate and low energy efficiency.

Funding

The QUEX Institute studentships are available for January 2025 entry.

This prestigious programme provides full tuition fees, stipend of £20780 p.a, travel funds of up to £15,000, and RTSG of £10,715 over the life of the studentship. 

The studentship funding is provided for up to 42 months (3.5 years)

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