Research and knowledge generation on ionic liquids aimed at developing industrialscale technologies for the production of new metallic coatings and other applications in the transport sector (automotive and aeronautics), energy (solar and energy storage), environment, and biomedical fields. These processes are intended to significantly improve the technical performance and ecosustainability requirements of current technologies.
Metal purification and valorisation using ionic liquids
Development of a process based on ionic liquids for the selective extraction of technologically relevant metals, such as cobalt, nickel, indium, germanium, and rare earth elements, from industrial effluents. Following extraction, the electrodeposition of these metals from ionicliquid solutions will be evaluated.
Energy storage in redox batteries
Use of ionic liquids for the formulation of electrolytes with a wider electrochemical window and safer handling, suitable for application in redox flow batteries for energy storage. The degradation of the active species and battery failure modes will be analysed.
Water purification processes and metal valorisation
Development and optimisation of processes for the purification of contaminated water and treatment of industrial effluents through metal extraction and valorisation.
