1. Research Group
Light Alloys and Rare Elements Separation Group
2. Brief Introduction
The Light Alloys and Rare Elements Separation Group is dedicated to investigating key scientific and technological challenges associated with the green and high-value utilization of salt lake resources. Focusing on the advanced exploitation of salt lakes, the group develops processes and equipment for the production of magnesium and lithium lightweight metals and their alloys, utilizing primary chemical products derived from salt lakes as main raw materials. Additionally, to achieve efficient separation and comprehensive utilization of salt lake resources, the group targets rare elements, advancing the development of separation materials, processes, and equipment with adsorption as the core technology. The group has successfully managed numerous research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, the National Science and Technology Support Program, Western Action Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, major Qinghai Provincial technological initiatives, the Qinghai Provincial Outstanding Youth Fund, and various industry-sponsored endeavors. To date, the group has published over 80 academic papers in leading international SCI journals such as Chemical Engineering Journal, Separation and Purification Technology, Journal of Hazardous Materials, and ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. Furthermore, the research team has applied for over 60 invention patents, of which more than 30 have been granted. To date, eight patents have been successfully commercialized through transfer or licensing agreements.
The research group comprises 14 full-time members, including 5 professors, 3 associate professors, 1 senior experimentalist, and 8 researchers with PhDs, four of whom have overseas research experience. Two individuals have been selected for the “Hundred Talents Program” of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, one specially appointed CAS researcher, one member of the CAS Youth Innovation Promotion Association, and two recipients of West Light Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The research group includes five externally appointed flexible collaboration researchers, four of whom hold doctoral degrees, with one being a recipient of the National Excellent Youth Award and two recognized as Leading Talents under Qinghai Province's "Thousand Talents Plan." The group also consists of four PhD candidates, three master’s students, and ten temporary technical staff members.
3. Introduction of The Group Director
Name: Dr./Prof. Xiushen Ye
Major: Inorganic Materials and Inorganic Chemistry
Tel: +86-(0) 13897451190
E-mail: yexs@isl.ac.cn
Brief CV：Ye Xiushen, born in 1981 in Linqing City, Shandong Province, is a distinguished Researcher and Ph.D. Supervisor at the Qinghai Salt Lake Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), where he also directs the Ganhe Pilot Plant. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Liaocheng University’s College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (1999-2003) and his Ph.D. from the Qinghai Salt Lake Research Institute of CAS in 2009. Between 2016 and 2017, Ye was a visiting research scholar at Yonsei University. His research focuses on developing molten salt electrolysis processes and equipment for light alloys, as well as creating efficient adsorption materials and processes for rubidium and cesium. Ye has published over 80 research articles in prominent SCI-indexed journals and has filed more than 40 patents, with over 30 granted. He is a recognized leader in Qinghai Province’s natural sciences and engineering disciplines and a recipient of Mid and Young Talent Support Project of the Qinghai.
Ye holds several prestigious academic affiliations, including membership in the Metallurgical Physical Chemistry Expert Committee of the Chinese Nonferrous Metals Society and the Inorganic Acid-Base Salt Expert Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society. Additionally, he serves as a Youth Editorial Board Member for Inorganic Salt Industry and the Deputy Chair of the Youth Editorial Board for Salt Lake Research.
4. Group members
(1)Staffs
(2)PhD Students
(3)Master’s Degree Students
5. Research Projects
[1] Youth Team Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for Sustained Support in Basic Research–Green and Efficient Separation of Critical Strategic Resources in Salt Lakes, YSBR-039(Sub-Project), 2022.07-2027.07.
[2] Green Manufacturing and Application Development of Magnesium-Rare Earth Alloys, National Science and Technology Support Program, 2012BAE01B04, 2012.01-2014.12.
[3] Crystallization and Dehydration Behavior and Mechanism of Magnesium Chloride on the Surface and Interface of Typical Inorganic Materials, Qinghai Provincial Key R&D and Transformation Program-Science and Technology Cooperation Special Project for Qinghai, 2024-QY-203, 2024.01-2026.12.
[4] Development of 300 MPa High-Strength, High-Quality Cast Magnesium Alloy Materials, Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Plan-Key R&D Project, AC202406121431948951e0, 2024.06-2026.06.
[5] Scientific Basis and Engineering for the Preparation of Magnesium-Rare Earth Intermediate Alloys via Molten Salt Electrolysis Using Hydrated Chlorides as Raw Materials, Key Project of the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, U21A20323, 2022.01-2025.12.
[6] Migration and Distribution of Flotation Reagents in Potash Production, Coupled Recovery, Removal Technologies, and Mechanism, Key Project of the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, U20A20150, 2021.01-2024.12.
[7] Preparation of Composite Molecularly Imprinted Adsorbents for Rubidium and Cesium and Their Adsorption Performance on Oilfield Water in the Qaidam Basin, General Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 50972151, 2010.01-2012.12.
[8] Research on the Highly Selective Adsorption and Mechanisms of Borate and Iodide Ions by Biomass Three-Dimensional Network Carbon Aerogel Adsorbents, Cultivation Project of the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, U1507104, 2016.01-2018.12.
[9] Preparation of High-Purity Lithium Chloride from Salt Lakes and the Key Scientific Foundations for Electrolyzing Lithium Hydroxide and Metallic Lithium, Key Project Subproject of the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, U20A20147, 2021.01-2024.12.
[10] Preparation of High-Purity Lithium Chloride from Salt Lakes and the Key Scientific Foundations for Electrolyzing Lithium Hydroxide and Metallic Lithium, Key Project Subproject of the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, U21A20305, 2021.01-2024.12.
[11] Engineering Research on the Preparation of Magnesium-Rare Earth Alloys via Electrolysis Using Hydrated Chlorides as Raw Materials and the Application of Alloys, Western Action Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, KZCX2-XB3-06, 2011.01-2013.12.
[12] Molten Salt Electrolytic Preparation of Aluminum-Strontium Intermediate Alloys and R&D of High-Performance Aluminum-Strontium Alloys, Special Project for Enterprise Research, Transformation, and Industrialization in Qinghai Province, 2017-GX-C2, 2017.01-2019.12.
[13] New Technology for Preparing Magnesium-Zinc Series Intermediate Alloys and Development of Application Alloys, Qinghai Provincial Key R&D and Transformation Program, 2014-GX-216A, 2014.07-2017.06.
[14] R&D and Demonstration of Key Technologies for Producing Metal Lithium at the Kiloton Scale per Annum, Qinghai Provincial Key R&D and Transformation Program, 2018-GX-121, 2018.07-2020.12.
[15] Key Scientific Foundations and Technologies for Efficient Enrichment and Separation of Rubidium and Cesium from Salt Lakes, Qinghai Provincial Outstanding Youth Fund Project, 2023-ZJ-940J, 2023.01-2025.12.
[16] Engineering Demonstration of Preparing Magnesium Intermediate Alloys via Electrolysis of Magnesium Chloride from Salt Lakes and High-Value Utilization of Electrolytic Chlorine Gas, Key Technology Project of Qinghai Salt Lake Industry Co., Ltd., 2021.07-2024.06.
[17] Design and Preparation of Adsorbents for Rare Alkali Metals in Salt Lakes and Research on High-Efficiency Separation Technologies, 2020 Qinghai Provincial Basic Research Plan-Natural Science Foundation Innovation Team Project, 2020-ZJ-901, 2020.01-2022.12.
6. Publications
(1) Papers
[1] Lu, M., Zhang S., Ma, L., Song, Z., Ye, X., Zhang H., Liu, H., Wu, Z., CNT/Nafion functionalized Ti/SnO2-Sb/β-PbO2-CNT/Nafion composite electrode toward highly active and robust degradation of octadecylamine and 4-dodecylmorpholine in real high-salinity system. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2024, 493, 152716.
[2] Hu, Y., Hou, Q., Liu, H., Ye, X., One-pot, surfactant-free synthesis of poly(styrene-N,N’-methylenebis (2-propenamide)-acrylic acid) and poly(styrene-N,N’-methylenebis (2-propenamide)-methacrylic acid) microspheres for adsorptive removal of heavy metal ions. Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2024, 683, 132651.
[3] Luo, Q., Dong, M., Bai, C., Liu, H., Wu, Z., Du, X., Li, J., Huang, X., Green synthesis of polyol functionalized cotton linter polymer adsorbents by the hydrothermal method: Effects of the structure of the ligands for boron anionic species capture. Chemical Engineering Science. 2024, 258, 11957.
[4] Zhou, D., Luo, Q., Nie, G., Dong, M., Du, X., Liu, H., Wu, Z., Li, J., Preparation of high-quality zinc borate flame retardant: The existence mechanism and synergistic coupling separation of chloride ions in zinc borate. Separation and Purification Technology. 2024, 344, 127198.
[5] Zhang S., Ma, L., Liu, W., Dong, M., Pang, Q., Li, Q., Wu, Z., Ye, X., Solvent- and catalyst-free hydrogenation synthesis of lithium hydride at high altitude. Chemical Engineering Science. 2024, 295, 120158.
[6] Song, Z., Zhang H., Ma, L., Lu, M., Wu, C., Liu, Q., Yu, X., Liu, H., Ye, X., Ma, Z., Wu, Z., Basic magnesium sulfate@TiO2 composite for efficient adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of 4-dodecylmorpholine in brine. Scientific Reports. 2024, 14, 9351.
[7] Wang, Y., Zhang, Q., Li, K., Wang, C., Fang, D., Han, W., Lu, M., Yu, X., Zhang, H., Liu, H., Tan, X., Wu, Z., Efficient Selective Adsorption of Rubidium and Cesium from Practical Brine Using a Metal−Organic Framework-Based Magnetic Adsorbent. Langmuir. 2024, 40(18), 9688-9701.
[8] Huang, Y., Chen, J., Liu, H., Wang, Y., Lu, M., Liu, X., Yu, X., Shi, G., Crown ether intercalated graphene oxide membranes for highly efficient sieving of cesium with a large water permeability. Separation and Purification Technology. 2024, 339, 126702.
[9] Wang, Y., Li, K., Ma, L., Fang, D., Lu, M., Ye, X., Liu, H., Zhang, H., Tan, X., Wu, Z., A magnetic adsorbent with metal-organic framework based on ammonium phosphomolybdenum heteropoly tungstate (AWP): selective adsorption of Rb and Cs from aqueous resources and stripping with ammonium salts. Hydrometallurgy. 2023, 216, 106011.
[10] Wang, Y., Li, K., Fang, D., Ye, X., Liu, H., Tan, X., Li, Q., Li, J., Wu, Z., Ammonium molybdophosphate/metal-organic framework composite as an effective adsorbent for capture of Rb+ and Cs+ from aqueous solution. Journal of Solid State Chemistry. 2022, 306, 122767.
[11] Bai, C., Li, K., Fang, D., Ye, X., Zhang, H., Li, Q., Li, J., Liu, H., Wu, Z., Efficient separation of boron from salt lake brine using a novel flotation agent synthesized from NMDG and 1-bromooctadecane. Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2021, 627,127178.
[12] Fang, D., Wang, Y., Liu, H., Zhang, H., Ye, X., Li, Q., Li, J., Wu, Z., Efficient extraction of Rb+ and Cs+ by a precipitation flotation process with ammonium phosphonoformate as precipitant. Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2021, 608,125581.
[13] Li, K., Ding, D., Fang, D., Wang, Y., Ye, X., Liu, H., Tan, X., Li, Q., Wu, Z., Hydrothermal deposition of titanate on biomass carbonaceous aerogel to prepare novel biomass adsorbents for Rb+ and Cs+. Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2020, 590,124501.
[14] Wang, S., Ye, X., Zhang, H., Qian, Z., Li, Q., Wu, Z., Li, S., Superhydrophobic silane/fluorinated attapulgite@SiO2 composite coatings on magnesium alloy for corrosion protection. Chemistry Letter. 2020, 5(33), 10329-10338.
[15] Wang, S., Zhang, H., Qian, Z., Ye, X., Wu, Z., Li, S., A facile strategy for preparing superhydrophobic coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy with stable anticorrosion performance. International Journal of Electrochemical Science. 2020, 15(9), 8397-8407.
[16] Wu, Z., Ye, X., Liu, H., Zhang, H., Liu, Z., Guo, M., Li, Q., Li, J., Interactions between adsorbents and adsorbates in aqueous solutions. Pure and Applied Chemistry. 2020, 92(10), 1655-1662.
[17] Qian, F., Zhao, B., Guo M., Qian, Z., Wu, Z., Liu, Z., Trace doping by fluoride and sulfur to enhance adsorption capacity of manganese oxides for lithium recovery. Materials & Design, 2020, 194, 108867-108878.
[18] Sun, L., Huang, J., Liu, H., Zhang, Y., Ye, X., Zhang, H., Wu, A., Wu, Z., Adsorption of boron by CA@KH-550@EPH@NMDG (CKEN) with biomass carbonaceous aerogels as substrate. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2018, 358, 10-19.
[19] Sun, L., Zhang, Y., Ye, X., Liu, H., Zhang, H., Wu, A., Wu, Z., Removal of I- from aqueous solutions using a biomass carbonaceous aerogel modified with KH-560. Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2017, 5(9), 7700-7708.
[20] Zhu, Y., Wang, W., Zhang, H., Ye, X., Wu, Z., Wang, A., Fast and high-capacity adsorption of Rb+ and Cs+ onto recyclable magnetic porous spheres. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2017, 327, 982-991.
[21] Zhu, Y., Zhang, H., Wang, W., Ye, X., Wu, Z., Wang, A., Fabrication of a magnetic porous hydrogel sphere for efficient enrichment of Rb+ and Cs+ from aqueous solution. Chemical Engineering Research & Design. 2017, 125, 214-225.
[22] Wang, S., Li, Q., Ye, X., Sun, Q., Wu, Z., Electrolytic preparation of Mg-La alloy in chloride molten salt: effect of electrolyte composition. Rare Metal Materials and Engineering. 2015, 44(7), 1623-1628.
[23] Guo, T., Hu, Y., Gao, X., Ye, X., Liu, H., Wu, Z., Competitive adsorption of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs ions onto calcium alginate-potassium tetraphenylborate composite adsorbent. Rsc Advances. 2014, 4(46), 24067-24072.
[24] Li, B., Liu, H., Ye, X., Li, S., Wu, Z., Rubidium and cesium ion adsorption by a potassium titanium silicate-calcium alginate composite adsorbent. Separation Science and Technology. 2014, 49(7), 1076-1085.
[25] Gao, X., Hu, Y., Guo, T., Ye, X., Li, Q., Guo, M., Liu, H., Wu, Z., Comparative study of the competitive adsorption of Mg, Ca and Sr ions onto resins. Adsorption Science & Technology. 2013, 31(1), 45-58.
[26] Hu, Y., Guo, T., Ye, X., Li, Q., Guo, M., Liu, H., Wu, Z., Dye adsorption by resins: effect of ionic strength on hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2013, 228, 392-397.
[27] Wang, S., Li, Q., Ye, X., Sun, Q., Wu, Z., Effect of oxide and fluoride addition on electrolytic preparation of Mg-La alloy in chloride molten salt. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China. 2013, 23(10), 3104-3111.
[28] Zhang, H., Guo, T., Li, Q., Liu, H., Ye, X., Wu, Z., Iodide adsorption onto three organic-inorganic composite adsorbents. Adsorption Science & Technology. 2012, 30(5), 449-460.
[29] Zhang, H., Gao, X., Guo, T., Li, Q., Liu, H., Ye, X., Guo, M., Wu, Z., Adsorption of iodide ions on a calcium alginate-silver chloride composite adsorbent. Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2011, 386(1-3), 166-171.
[30] Guo, M., Li, Q., Ye, X., Wu, Z., Magnesium carbonate precipitation under the influence of polyacrylamide. Powder Technology. 2010, 200(1-2), 46-51.
[31] Li, Q., Liu, H., Liu, T., Guo, M., Qing, B., Ye, X., Wu, Z., Strontium and calcium ion adsorption by molecularly imprinted hybrid gel. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2010, 157(2-3), 401-407.
[32] Guo, M., Li, Q., Liu, H., Ye, X., Qing, B., Ge, F., Wu, Z., The exploitation and utilization of magnesium resources in salt lakes. Progress in Chemistry. 2009, 21(11), 2358-2364.
[33] Liu, H., Qing, B., Ye, X., Li, Q., Lee, K., Wu, Z., Boron adsorption by composite magnetic particles. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2009, 151(1-3), 235-240.
[34] Liu, H., Ye, X., Li, Q., Kim, T., Qing, B., Guo, M., Ge, F., Wu, Z., Lee, K., Boron adsorption using a new boron-selective hybrid gel and the commercial resin D564. Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2009, 341(1-3), 118-126.
[35] Ye, X., Wu, Z., Li, W., Liu, H., Li, Q., Qing, B., Guo, M., Go, F., Rubidium and cesium ion adsorption by an ammonium molybdophosphate-calcium alginate composite adsorbent. Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2009, 342(1-3), 76-83.
[36] Liu, H., You, L., Ye, X., Li, W., Wu, Z., Adsorption kinetics of an organic dye by wet hybrid gel monoliths. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology. 2008, 45(3), 279-290.
[37] Ye, X., Liu, T., Li, Q., Liu, H., Wu, Z., Comparison of strontium and calcium absorption onto composite magnetic particles derived from Fe3O4 and bis(trimethoxysilylpropyl)amine. Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2008, 330(1), 21-27.
(2) Patents
[1] Patent No. ZL.2021105483427, Date: June 25, 2024.
[2] Patent No. ZL.202110567741.8, Date: May 14, 2024.
[3] Patent No. ZL.202211019765.0, Date: April 19, 2024.
[4] Patent No. ZL.202110887970.8, Date: March 8, 2024.
[5] Patent No. ZL.202111124046.0, Date: September 22, 2023.
[6] Patent No. ZL.202111124050.7, Date: September 22, 2023.
[7] ZL.202211533010.2, Date: June 2, 2023.
[8] Patent No. ZL.202011340822.6, Date: May 23, 2023.
[9] ZL.202111671118.3, Date: March 24, 2023.
[10] Patent No. ZL.202110313556.6, Date: August 23, 2022.
[11] Patent No. ZL.202011346003.2, Date: June 10, 2022.
[12] Patent No. ZL.202011340808.6, Date: June 10, 2022.
[13] Patent No. ZL.201710155686.5, Date: March 2, 2021.
[14] Patent No. ZL.201710743762.4, Date: November 22, 2019.
[15] Patent No. ZL.201610395365.8, Date: June 18, 2019.
[16] Patent No. ZL.201710034150.8, Date: December 4, 2018.
[17] Patent No. ZL.201510677681.X, Date: March 20, 2018.
[18] Patent No. ZL.201510802627.3, Date: December 12, 2017.
[19] Patent No. ZL.201510703793.8, Date: December 12, 2017.
[20] Patent No. ZL.201510528914.X, Date: October 3, 2017.
[21] Patent No. ZL.201410077613.5, Date: July 14, 2017.
[22] Patent No. ZL.201410079494.7, Date: February 1, 2017.
[23] Patent No. ZL.201410085514.1, Date: August 31, 2016.
[24] Patent No. ZL.201410077210.0, Date: June 22, 2016.
[25] Patent No. ZL.201410015386.3, Date: January 20, 2016.
[26] Patent No. ZL.201310574687.5, Date: January 20, 2016.
[27] Patent No. ZL.201310557924.7, Date: January 20, 2016.
[28] Patent No. ZL.201410063451.X, Date: April 15, 2015.
[29] Patent No. ZL.201310142900.5, Date: March 25, 2015.
[30] Patent No. ZL.201310014484.0, Date: February 18, 2015.
[31] Patent No. ZL.201310014592.8, Date: December 24, 2014.
[32] Patent No. ZL.201310014822.0, Date: September 17, 2014.
[33] Patent No. ZL.201110140778.9, Date: May 15, 2013.
[34] Patent No. ZL.200910021884.8, Date: August 15, 2012.
[35] Patent No. ZL.200910021881.4, Date: July 4, 2012.
[36] Patent No. ZL.200910117403.3, Date: May 23, 2012.
[37] Patent No. ZL.200910117402.9, Date: December 21, 2011.
[38] Patent No. ZL.200910021880.X, Date: June 22, 2011.
[39] Patent No. ZL.200910117404.8, Date: May 25, 2011.
7. Awards and Honors
