CO2 Utilisation in the Preparation of High Value Lithium Carbonate Battery Material

Dr John Low, Prof. Evgeny Rebrov, (University of Warwick) Dr Nikolay Cherkasov (Stoli Chem)

The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net2Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.

Our four-year doctoral programme is training the next generation of research leaders tasked to remove greenhouse gases from the environment. The CDT in Net2Zero focuses on the use of biomass to replace fossil fuels and removal (or capture) of CO2 from the atmosphere, with the potential to create new sources of fuels and chemicals. The centre’s expertise covers Direct Air Capture and CO2 Storage (DACCS), CO2 utilisation, biochar synthesis and utilisation, biomass transition to materials and chemicals, and biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) etc.

Through our research training programme, you will be able to

• develop a network with doctoral researchers, academia, government and industry.
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or policymaking.
• Carry out a training programme covering practical engineering, communication, entrepreneurship, and business skills to prepare students for diverse sectors.
• The CDT facilitates direct contact between students, industrial partners, policy makers, and third sector organisations to support future careers. You will have the opportunity of a three month placement with industry, research collaborators or policymakers.

This project is in collaboration with additional support from Stoli Chem.

Lithium carbonate is an essential material in the production of lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), which power everything from medical devices, consumer electronics to electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The market for LiBs is growing rapidly, the demand for lithium in the form of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) is therefore also increasing significantly. Its production and control have become critical to resource security and technological sovereignty. Currently, two methods are used to produce lithium carbonate: (i) direct use of carbonate powders and (ii) carbonation process. The first method involves reading lithium-containing materials with solid carbonate powders, but it faces limitations due to inefficient mass transfer and slow reaction rates. The carbonation process, where lithium-rich solutions react with gaseous carbon dioxide (CO₂), also suffers from flow mass transport, as the slow diffusion of CO₂ into the reaction mixture limits the reaction rate and overall product yield. In addition, the persistent decrease in pH inherent to the use of CO2 gas necessitates consistent and meticulous adjustments along the reactor length to preserve optimal pH levels. Here, the proper reactor design can eliminate these limitations.

This PhD project seeks to address the mass transport challenges by improving the diffusion of CO₂ during the carbonation process, significantly enhancing reaction kinetics and increasing production efficiency and overall CO2 utilisation. The role of CO2 in gas–liquid crystallisation processes have become a research focus, and its future role in high-quality carbonate production is promising. An attempt will be made to increase the specific surface area of the reaction surface inside a flow reactor to enhance the utilisation of CO2 gas and to produce micro-sized Li2CO3 powders. A multipurpose SABRe flow reactor from StoliChem Ltd will be investigated, which could help a more efficient gas-liquid mixing and convert the slow reaction of batch process to a faster reaction of continuous process. This reactor has special internals that can increase the interaction area between Li+ and carbonate ions, thereby enhancing the reaction efficiency. This technology could become a key method for production of highly pure lithium carbonate via optimisation of the reactor internals, the location where the CO2 gas is introduced in the reactor, as well as optimising the reaction temperature, pH and CO2 bubble size. This, in turn, will provide negative CO2 emissions associated with Li production and harnessing, and therefore will help to achieve the NET Zero targets. In short, this PhD will harness CO2 to prepare high value Li2CO3 battery material.

Essential

• Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:
  A Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering with an award of First Class or 2.1. OR
  A Masters degree in Chemical Engineering with an award of Merit or higher.
• Ability to apply research and innovation skills in relevant areas (e.g. chemical reactor, process development, electrochemistry, recycling, battery, scale-up).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to contribute to and support team-based projects, in a collegial and respectful environment.
• Ability to plan, organise and deliver research activities within agreed deadlines.
• Ability to produce clear research outputs, such as reports, and willingness to develop publishing scientific papers.

The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average and/or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution) in a relevant subject.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of the Net2Zero CDT and we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in a higher education setting. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.

• Four-year studentships with a tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (£21,805 per year for 2026/27)
• Paid tuition fees
• A generous research training support grant.

This opportunity is only available to applicants who qualify for home fee status. You can find the rules for home fee eligibility.

Applications for this project from international candidates will not be considered.

For formal enquiries about this project contact the Net2Zero CDT team.

When submitting the Expression of Interest we will need some information from you, we will be asking about:

1. Your personal details for processing the application.
2. A copy of your passport and, where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.
3. Your personal characteristics, for monitoring purposes only.
4. Your Academic background. We will require English language copies (or screen captures) of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
5. If English is not your first language, you will be required to present evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. You can submit the evidence at a later stage.
6. Your research background and experience.
7. Expressions of interest will be assessed against the following criteria:
   a) Candidate’s motivation and experience: The extent to which the candidate’s expertise, experience, and ambitions align with the goals of the Net2Zero CDT programme
   b) If you are shortlisted, you will have the opportunity to meet the potential supervisors.

If after formal interviews, you are offered a place in the training programme, you will be required to submit a formal application within the Home Institution (Aston University, University or Nottingham, University or Warwick or The Queen’s University of Belfast)

Apply for this position

(you only need to submit one Expression of Interest regardless of the number of projects you are interested on)

These studentships are open until filled, and hence early applications are strongly encouraged.