Project Goals
This project aims to develop innovative green-solvent technologies for sustainable end-of-life battery recycling. The research focuses on the design and optimization of VOC- and acid-free solvent systems, including ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DES), bio-based solvents, supercritical fluids, and photocatalytic media, for selective dissolution, separation, and recovery of battery components. Particular emphasis will be placed on low-energy and low-impact recycling workflows enabling the recovery of critical metals, electrolytes, and polymeric components from spent batteries. The project further aims to establish sustainable synthetic routes toward tailored functional solvents and catalytic systems with tunable polarity, coordination ability, and reactivity. Photocatalytic and organocatalytic concepts will be explored for low-temperature leaching, degradation of polymeric components, and valorization of electrolyte and organic waste streams.
Place of Employment
Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Wien
Supervisory Team
Katharina Schröder (TU Wien; primary supervisor), analytical and electrochemical co-supervisors from TU Graz and MU Leoben
Secondments
Secondments at collaborating academic and industrial partners focusing on photocatalysis, sustainability assessment, and process scale-up, including short research visits to industrial recycling and green-technology partners
Admission Requirements
MSc degree in organic chemistry, sustainable chemistry, chemical engineering, materials chemistry, or related disciplines
Essential Qualifications
