Missions

The frame for this proposal is an experimental research in physico-chemistry for hydrometallurgy using ion flotation as a sustainable approach for the recovery of noble metals deposited in thin layers on "steel", "silica" or aluminium substrates. Working with the L2IA team (Ions at Active Interfaces Laboratory) and the LHYS team (Hybrid Systems for Separation Laboratory), he/she will provide expertise in the analysis and optimisation of separation processes using liquid foams.

Activités

The candidate will be required to develop and/or adapt, through a sustained experimental approach, a set of techniques ranging from analytical chemistry to materials chemistry and the physical chemistry of complex fluids such as flotation foams, in order to monitor the dissolution of thin metal layers in the presence of metal ions and surface-active molecules in solution, while controlling the (de)-stability of circulating foams, a crucial point of the project.
For the study of the dissolution of thin films, a quantitative approach will be developed with the aim of establishing dissolution kinetics as a function of various significant physico-chemical parameters. The addition of complexing species will be addressed in order to selectively extract or precipitate metal species eluted in solution.
Bibliographic work and the dissemination/promotion of results through participation in conferences and the drafting of reports, scientific articles and patents will of course be required, as well as participation in the laboratory's collective tasks.

Compétences

- PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY of foams
- Foam formulation
- CHEMISTRY, Extractive metallurgy Solution chemistry Complexation reactions, Extraction Liquid Liquid Separation processes
- ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES: ICP AES Spectroscopy (UV vis, IR,
NMR) DRX, ATG, Microcalorimetry Microscopy (SEM, TEM, AFM)
Karl Fisher ion chromatography Titrimetry pH metrology
Other skills :
- MATERIAL SCIENCES: Metals Glass Thin films
- Knowledge of computer tools for data collection and processing.
- Knowledge of presentation techniques (oral and written) and meeting facilitation.
Level B2 of English.

Contexte de travail

In order to meet the growing needs of our economies, the mining industry is looking for strategic metals that are increasingly difficult to extract from ores with lower and increasingly polymetallic grades. As a result, and in order to increase the efficiency with which our societies use materials, the recycling and environmental industry is now aiming to recover value from residues or industrial waste of all kinds, often complex, by seeking, after dissolution, to recover some or all of the metals used, and is also interested in the remanufacture of semi-finished products with high added value (up-cycling). Hydrometallurgy is the most appropriate technique for meeting these needs. It also enables aqueous phase processes with selective and modulable power to be implemented. In all cases, it is expected that the processes will be designed from the outset to minimise their environmental impact and the use of water and chemical reagents, which is possible in hydrometallurgy where the extractant formulations and processes can be adapted for this purpose.
This research will be carried out at the Institut de Chimie Séparative de Marcoule (Marcoule Separative Chemistry Institute), which is attached to the CEA in Marcoule, as part of a circular economy research programme. This joint research unit is well equipped with the analytical tools needed to meet the objectives of the project, based on close collaboration between the 2 teams, the L2IA (https://www.icsm.fr/l2ia.html) and the LHYS (https://www.icsm.fr/lhys.html).