Separation of critical elements from Li-ion battery cathodes by polyol process: application to industrial waste (M/F)

6 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Groupe de physique des matériaux

Research Field

Chemistry
Physics
Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

26 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Jul 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The GPM laboratory has developed a solvothermal polyol process for extracting and separating critical elements (Co, Ni, Mn and Li) that is effective on the majority of cathode materials currently used, except LFP. This process, which has a low environmental footprint due to the reagents and low temperature used, enables the separation of valuable cathode elements into different fractions that are easily separable due to their different physical and chemical properties, in a single treatment and without any acid attack.
The aim of this mission (project : Carnot ACTION) is to demonstrate that this extraction process is efficient and adaptable to complex products generated by Li-ion battery industry (battery manufacturers and recyclers). To this end, the researcher recruited will work on black mass and cathode production scrap already supplied by French manufacturers.
The first phase will involve the characterization of industrial waste prior to processing, using various characterization techniques available on the laboratory's instrumental platform (XRD, Raman, FTIR, SEM-EDS, etc.).
The second phase will involve quantifying the efficiency of the treatment, in particular its ability to separate manganese, cobalt-nickel and lithium, as well as the yields and purities of the various fractions extracted. ICP analyses of these different fractions will be carried out outside the laboratory to complete the characterizations.
At the end of these two phases, the researcher will work to optimize the processing parameters in order to improve, if necessary, the processing efficiency and optimize the proportions of reagents to minimize the environmental footprint.
The feasibility and efficiency of the treatment at atmospheric pressure will also be explored, as this would make it easier to transfer the process to industry.
Finally, the researcher will be asked to conduct parallel experiments to have a deeper understanding of the reaction mechanism involved in the treatment process.

Main tasks :
- Characterization of industrial waste to be treated (black mass and cathode production scraps)
- Treatment of industrial waste using the laboratory's patented process
- Fine characterization of fractions extracted after treatment (XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, Raman, ICP, X-ray fluorescence)
- Determination of quantitative data on the ability to separate the valuable elements, yields and purities obtained with this process on industrial wastes.
- Optimization of the process in terms of efficiency and environmental footprint.
- Writing of scientific publications, presentation of results at conferences.

Secondary tasks :
- Studying the feasibility of treatment at atmospheric pressure
- Deep understanding of the reaction mechanism

The GPM (Groupe de Physique des Matériaux, UMR CNRS 6634) is structured into five departments grouping 15 thematic teams: Scientific Instrumentation, Metallurgy-Microstructure-Mechanics, Functional and Nanostructured Materials, Disordered Systems and Polymers and Thematic Openings and Innovations. It has a staff of around 140, including 60 lecturers/researchers, 30 technical staff and 50 PhD students/postdoctoral fellows. The laboratory is located on the Rouen Normandy Science and Engineering Campus (Saint Etienne du Rouvray), within the Université de Rouen Normandie and INSA Rouen Normandie (7,000m2).
The researcher recruited will be attached to the Ouvertures Thématiques et Innovations department within the batteries and recycling team, comprising 2 teacher-researchers, a PhD student and an ITA.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Technology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Physics

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Technology

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

The candidate must have a PhD in materials chemistry or chemistry and must :
- Have a solid background in chemistry.
- Have a particular affinity for experimental work.
- Experience in materials characterization and chemical analysis.
- Autonomy in chemical manipulations, exploitation and synthesis of results.
- Ability to communicate and work in a collaborative environment.
In addition, experience in the field of Li-ion batteries (synthesis of active materials, recycling, etc.) would be highly appreciated, but is not necessary to successfully complete this project.

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR6634-CHRVUR-049/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Groupe de physique des matériaux

Country

France

City

ST ETIENNE DU ROUVRAY

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR6634-CHRVUR-049/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

ST ETIENNE DU ROUVRAY

Website

http://gpm.labos.univ-rouen.fr/

STATUS: EXPIRED