As global demand for essential chemicals and sustainable energy solutions rises, finding innovative and efficient uses for raw materials is critical. Lepidico, an Australia-based company, extracts lithium (Li) from lepidolite using a patented suite of clean technologies. Lepidico, in collaboration with iCAST, explored the potential of caesium (Cs) and rubidium (Rb) in industrial catalysis. Both Cs and Rb are co-products of Li extraction from the naturally occurring mineral lepidolite.
Pyrosulphates are critical components in the catalytic production of sulfuric acid, phthalic anhydride and other widely used base chemicals. Currently, potassium pyrosulphates are used for these applications due to their historically lower cost. This Joint Industry Project (JIP) explored the potential advantages of Cs, Rb, and mixed alkali metals as alternative option, taking into account their greater availability due to the worldwide surge in Li demand.
Turning unexplored co-products into valuable resources
Traditionally, Cs is extracted from pollucite. With the expansion of Li production, spurred by the growing need for rechargeable batteries, has resulted in new sources of Rb and Cs as co-products of Lepidico’s Li extraction process Through the exploration of their use in catalytic applications, Lepidico aims to transform these Rb and Cs co-products into valuable resources.
Moreover, by investigating the use of pyrosulphates of naturally occurring mixtures of Cs and Rb, several energy-intensive processing steps may be eliminated. The potential for mixed Cs/Rb catalysts to outperform traditional options in large scale applications means that industrial processes could operate at lower temperatures to achieve higher production yields, save energy, and reduce their emissions. The collaboration between Lepidico and iCAST also delved into the potential of Cs/Rb pyrosulphates in new applications where traditional catalysts are less effective.
Harnessing iCAST’s expertise
Through this project, Lepidico had access to specialist knowledge and advanced facilities necessary for synthesising and characterising these sensitive compounds.
The JIP’s immediate outputs include a comprehensive literature review, optimised synthesis methods for Cs and Rb pyrosulphates, and detailed characterisation data to both demonstrate feasibility and attract additional industrial partners for practical application of the new findings.
By partnering with iCAST, Lepidico is addressing current supply chain challenges and paving the way for sustainable innovations in industrial catalysis. Dr. John Lau, Lepidico’s project coordinator, said, “Our experience with iCAST has been outstanding. The Joint Industry Project offered access to exceptional research capabilities at a competitive cost, and the expertise of the iCAST team is truly world-class.”
Image courtesy of Lepidico’s Media Centre
