Missions

The post-doc (M/F) will be responsible for synthesizing polymers and implementing extraction in a supercritical CO2 medium to selectively extract lithium from Li-ion battery cathode materials. This work is part of a larger circular economy project aimed at recycling and co-recovering critical metals (RECULITI project). The post-doc will have to interact with the other partners of the project and participate in the actions of the regional key challenge on the circular economy (CIRCULADES).

Activités

Main tasks :
- synthesize and characterize monomers capable of selectively complexing lithium;
- synthesize and characterize polymers capable of selectively complexing lithium and of forming a polymer/lithium complex soluble in a supercritical CO2 medium;
- develop and implement selective extraction of lithium assisted by polymers in a supercritical CO2 medium from Li-ion battery cathode materials;
- carry out a bibliographic watch;
- write reports (activity reports);
- present the results (progress meetings, seminars, congresses);
- promote the results (drafting of publications and/or patents);

Secondary tasks:
- participate in the maintenance of laboratory equipment;
- co-supervise (example: trainee);

Compétences

PhD in polymer chemistry.

Technical skills :
- chemistry: organic chemistry, macromolecular chemistry;
- knowledge of supercritical fluids would be a plus;

Expertise :
- controlled radical polymerization (RAFT);
- characterization of polymers (NMR, SEC, UV, DSC, TGA);
- characterization of organometallic complexes (ICP, XPS);
- languages: French, English

Know-how :
- ability to communicate orally and in writing;
- autonomy;
- ability to work in a team;

Contexte de travail

The work will be carried out within the Macromolecular Chemistry and Materials department (C3M - D2) of the Charles Gerhardt Institute of Montpellier (ICGM).
https://www.icgm.fr/en/the-institute/the-departments/d2/
The department is made up of around 80 people, 26 of whom are permanent staff. The members of the department are polymer chemists and physical chemists.
The post-doc (M/F) will work under the supervision of Dr. Patrick LACROIX-DESMAZES. The work will be carried out in conjunction with the batteries group (Laure MONCONDUIT) of the Department of Chemistry of Materials, Nanostructures, Materials for Energy (CMNME - D4) of the ICGM.

The RECULITI project aims to explore new approaches to the recycling of critical metals lithium and titanium (https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/raw-materials/specific-interest/critical_en), focusing on innovative technologies (extraction supercritical CO2, 3D printing) and co-valuation of recovered metals. Incoming flows will come from the Li-ion battery sector (cathode materials) for lithium and from the aeronautics sector (Ti6Al4V machining chips) for titanium. The processes implemented will be the subject of LCA and technical-economic studies in order to compare the value provided by separate recovery of the two metals, and the value provided by co-recovery of the two metals.
Keywords: recycling, circular economy, critical metals, lithium, titanium, batteries, aeronautics, supercritical CO2 extraction, polymer extractants, chips.

The partners of the RECULITI project are: ICGM https://www.icgm.fr/, ICSM, https://www.icsm.fr/, ICA https://ica.cnrs.fr/, RAPSODEE https://www.imt-mines-albi.fr/rapsodee/, MoMa https://www.montpellier-management.fr/, SNAM www.snam.com, MECACHROME https://www.mecachrome.com/.

Scientific challenge of the RECULITI project:
In battery recycling, pyrometallurgy does not make it possible to recycle lithium. We propose clean alternative methods (supercritical CO2 extraction, and combination with hydrometallurgy) to selectively isolate lithium and recover it.

Currently, a large part of the Ti6Al4V chips is recycled by remelting after decontamination. These steps consume energy and chemicals. It is therefore essential to develop new recycling methods that consume less energy and are less harmful to the environment in order to supply the Aero 3D printing industry.

For these two metals, recycling is limited by a traditional end-of-materials approach, aimed at recovering the metal in a purified form, so that the processes are not profitable at the present time. A study on the co-valorization of these two metals will be carried out and could allow a recycling bringing a significant added value to each of the two flows taken separately.

Contraintes et risques

This position is located in a sector covered by the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST) and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival be authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Informations complémentaires

Applications (CV & cover letter) (letters of recommendation welcome) must be submitted via the CNRS portal at the following address: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD. Candidates (M/F) are also asked to indicate the names of two referents. The start date should be between September and November 2023.