NuChemE Investigator to Present at Shires Graduate Research Seminar
The NuChemE Pipeline project is pleased to co-host another Shires Graduate Research Seminar in coordination with the Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering at New Mexico State University. We will be welcoming speaker Dr. Ching-Hua Huang; Turnipseed Family Chair and Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology
Ionic Liquid-Based Extraction and Separation of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Fly Ash
Abstract: Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for high-tech and clean energy applications, yet the United States lacks a secure domestic supply. Recent geopolitical tensions have further heightened supply chain uncertainties. Coal fly ash (CFA), a byproduct of coal combustion, has been identified as a promising REE source due to its abundance and metal enrichment. However, conventional recovery methods rely on corrosive acids and harsh conditions, making them chemically, water, and energy-intensive while indiscriminately leaching elements.
This presentation explores our research on using recyclable ionic liquids (ILs) for REE recovery and separation. ILs have gained attention as sustainable alternatives to traditional solvents due to their tunable properties and favorable environmental profile. Specifically, betainium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Hbet][Tf₂N]) is effective in selectively extracting REEs from CFAs. By leveraging its thermomorphic behavior with water, [Hbet][Tf₂N] enables simultaneous leaching and separation of REEs. REE stripping from the IL regenerates the IL for reuse.To enhance REE recovery and minimize co-extraction of other metals, we employ strategies such as CFA pretreatment and optimization of extraction conditions. However, challenges remain in achieving separation of individual REEs, such as gadolinium. Ongoing research focuses on developing synergistic IL-extractant systems, electrodeposition of REEs in ILs, and evaluating ILs with diverse properties. Our ultimate goal is a robust IL-based toolbox for efficient extraction and separation of REEs from unconventional, complex sources.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Ching-Hua Huang earned her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Chemistry from National Taiwan University. With over 24 years as a faculty member at Georgia Tech, Dr. Huang’s research and teaching focus on water quality engineering and the resource recovery of critical metals. She has led numerous government- and industry-funded research projects and has published extensively, with more than 165 journal articles. Dr. Huang currently serves as an Associate Editor for ACS ES&T Water and as an Editorial Advisory Board member for Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T). Her contributions to the field have been widely recognized, including the 2024 Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) and the 2022 CAPEES/Nanova Lifetime Achievement Award.
Location: Jett Hall 216
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:20 pm
Date: Friday, February 28th, 2025
Email NuChemE Project Coordinator to join via zoom (klindema@nmsu.edu)