The successful candidate will primarily conduct research activities on the following project: There is an accelerating global demand for lithium, driven by lithium-ion energy storage applications. Currently it is estimated that more than half of the world’s lithium supply is derived from hard-rock deposits containing the lithium bearing mineral, spodumene (LiAlSi2O6). The separation and concentration of spodumene from the other minerals is accomplished by a number of in-line processes, the bulk of which is froth flotation. The objective of the proposed research project is to measure the surface composition of spodumene by ToF-SIMS under various constrained testing scenarios and compare the observed characteristics to factors which could impact its recovery. The research plan, which will be performed using simple laboratory experiments to modify the mineral surface and subsequent analysis by ToF-SIMS, is as follows: 1. Characterize the surface chemistry of a pristine spodumene mineral. 2. Characterize the surface chemistry of spodumene after conditioning the mineral at typical operational pH with a selection of the relevant aqueous species (those typically identified in process waters: Si, Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Na). 3. Characterize the surface chemistry of a spodumene mineral at operational pH after conditioning with various collectors (including fatty acid collectors such as FA-2), with and without selected cations. The ToF-SIMS analysis and data interpretation will provide insights into spodumene’s surface chemistry under simulated operating conditions similar to those found in the flotation scenarios. The data will also potentially provide insight into collector-spodumene mineral adsorption in the context of competition of various labile components in solution. We believe that this research will provide baseline data to build interpretative models linking ToF-SIMS surface analysis results to flotation testing and large-scale operations aimed at identifying various surface chemical controls driving spodumene separation and flotation recovery.
Qualifications
Education:
- Must be a student returning to studies in the fall
- Currently enrolled in Chemistry or Earth Sciences program
Experience:
- 1 year part time employment or volunteer experience
Required Skills, Abilities & Expertise:
