Research Projects

The demand for Rare-earth elements (REEs) has increased in recent years, with applications in permanent magnets, fluorescent materials, laser crystals, ceramics, alloys, catalysts, superconductors, and batteries. Fly ash, an industrial waste product from thermal power plants, is a rich source of REEs and other precious elements. This project aims to use fly ash as an alternative to monazite minerals for REE extraction. Ionic liquids (ILs) are identified as green chemicals for REE extraction due to their large electrochemical window and ability to be functionalized according to element affinity. The feasibility study will use betainium bis- (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [Hbet][Tf2N]'s ionic liquid for electrodeposition of REEs, as well as exploring imidazolium cation group with fluoride and chloride-based anions containing ILs. The project involves selecting fly ash from thermal power plants with high REE content, leaching fly ash with an alkaline solution, analyzing the concentration of rare earth elements, optimizing parameters for electrodeposition, analyzing yield and purity of electrodeposited REEs, stripping REE deposited on the cathode, regeneration of ionic liquid, comparisons with solvent extraction, and exploring other imidazole-based ionic liquids for electrodeposition.