Research Projects

Rationale of the Research: Australia leads global lithium production. The lithium reserves found with Bolivia, Zimbabwe, Portugal, Argentina, China and Chile are also significant producers. India's lithium sector is nascent, relying heavily on imports despite identifying substantial reserves, including 5.9mt in Jammu & Kashmir. However, these deposits remain untapped due to challenges like low lithium carbonate content, clay deposit forms that are costly to mine, and insufficient infrastructure for large-scale production. Most lithium and lithium-ion batteries are imported from Australia, Chile, Argentina, and China. The rising demand for lithium in India stems from its growing EV market, renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. Government initiatives like FAME and the PM E-DRIVE scheme target 30% EV penetration by 2030, necessitating increased lithium-ion battery production. Projections shows lithium demand will rise from 1,634t in 2022 to 93,000t by 2050. India is exploring alternative lithium sources like bauxite residue (BR), coal mine waste (CMW), and geothermal brine (GB). Geothermal energy initiatives in states such as Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat show potential, with pilot projects like the Singareni 20 kW plant and a geothermal reservoir in Puga Valley demonstrating feasibility. Additionally, studies highlight lithium's presence in CMW and BS, providing sustainable resource options. Objective: The research aims to develop an environmentally friendly method for extracting lithium from bauxite residue, coal mine waste, and geothermal brine using zirconium-doped manganese oxide (H₄Mn₄.₉Zr₀.₁O₁₂). This innovative approach promises a sustainable solution to meet India’s lithium demand for EV batteries while reducing import dependency. Research Status: Conventional lithium extraction is resource-intensive, causing environmental harm like water depletion, soil contamination, and biodiversity loss. To address this, adsorption has emerged as a promising alternative due to its high selectivity and efficiency in extracting lithium from brine. Lithium-ion sieves (LIS) made from manganese or titanium oxides demonstrate potential, with zirconium doping improving adsorption capacity and reducing manganese dissolution. Methodology: Synthesize Li₄Mn₄.₉Zr₀.₁O₁₂ and convert it to H₄Mn₄.₉Zr₀.₁O₁₂ for lithium adsorption. Design a bench-scale adsorption-desorption system, scalable to a fixed-bed flow process. Extract lithium from BS, CMW, & GB. Purify lithium chloride and convert it to battery-grade lithium carbonate. Scale the process for national implementation. Anticipated Results: High lithium adsorption capacity from diverse sources. Enhanced domestic lithium production, supporting EV adoption and reducing import dependency. By leveraging zirconium-doped manganese oxide for efficient lithium extraction, this project addresses India’s critical lithium needs sustainably and aligns with the vision of a sustainable future under Viksit Bharat-2047.