Practical trainings, student assistants and theses

Lithium is in high global demand due to its suitability for a wide range of applications, particularly in rechargeable batteries for the electronics sector. This is attributed to its low mass and high energy density, which enable compact battery designs and efficient recharging capabilities of lithium-ion accumulators. In the battery electric vehicle (BEV) sector, lithium is particularly difficult to replace. Between 2010 and 2100, an estimated increase of 20 million metric tons (Mt) is expected in this field, representing a remarkable 21% rise from the 107,000 tons produced just one year earlier. This trend might be ascribed to the increasing development and demand for lithium-ion batteries in the electric vehicle sector. Currently, lithium is mined from brines, pegmatites, or sedimentary rocks. However, its limited supply, coupled with significant environmental and political challenges associated with traditional production methods, necessitates the development of alternative technologies for lithium recovery. One promising approach is the recovery of lithium from spent batteries or battery waste. This method not only helps address the global supply-demand gap but also conserves natural resources and reduces environmental impact by minimizing the need for new mining activities. Furthermore, recycling lithium from used batteries supports the creation of a circular economy, ensuring a sustainable and resilient supply chain for this critical material. However, the development of a highly lithium-selective and cost-effective materials is still challenging due to its chemical properties. The analogues of organic ligands such as crown ethers and calix[n]arens are found to be most effective for the lithium recovery due to their distinctive features, including ring size and functional attaching groups. The objective of this thesis is to design and develop various crown ethers and calix[n]arenes for the selective recovery of lithium from different battery waste solutions. The developed crown ethers and calix[n]arenes will be tested for complexation with lithium ions using various analytical techniques followed by its application in bioionflotation and liquid-liquid extraction.
Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct literature research on crown ethers and calix[n]arenes for the recovery of lithium through hydro- and biometallurgical process
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments using synthesized crown ethers and calix[n]arenes with different hydrometallurgical and biometallurgical parameters
• Optimize experimental conditions for high recovery rates for lithium and other valuable metals
• Prepare a thesis report and present findings at conferences or workshops

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering or related field
• Good oral and written communication skills in English or German
• Ability to work independently and systematically

• Duration: 6 months
• Start Date: Start in April 2025 is possible
• Funding: Remuneration according to HZDR internal regulations