Circular High Entropy Metal PHOsphates REcovery from Wastes for (Electrophoto)catalytic Reactions
ProjectCHEMPHOREWER aims to turn the intrinsic complexity of end-of-life lithium-ion battery streams into a resource for the circular design of high-entropy metal
phosphates (HEMPs). Moving beyond recycling strategies based mainly on the complete separation of individual metals, the project will exploit waste-
derived multi-metal mixtures containing Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Al, Li, P and other minor elements as chemically rich feedstocks for advanced materials.
The project will develop HEMP libraries, including amorphous/hydrated phosphates, transition-metal hydroxyphosphates, olivine-type and NASICON-type
phosphates, and carbon-supported phases. Rather than targeting a single ideal composition, CHEMPHOREWER will identify robust synthesis–composition
regions able to tolerate feedstock variability while preserving structural integrity and functional performance.
A key scientific challenge will be to distinguish genuine multicationic/high-entropy phosphate phases from physical mixtures of segregated mono- or
bimetallic phosphates. This will be addressed through controlled synthesis, multiscale structural, microstructural and surface characterization, and data-
driven interpretation. Computational modelling, AI/ML tools, FAIR data management and sustainability screening will act as a decision engine to map
composition–structure–property relationships, reduce trial-and-error experimentation and guide the selection of the most promising materials.
The functional potential of the HEMP libraries will be validated in catalytic and photo/electrocatalytic processes relevant to clean energy and environmental
remediation, including oxygen evolution, ammonia oxidation and pollutant degradation. By integrating waste recovery, materials chemistry, advanced
characterization, predictive modelling and performance feedback, CHEMPHOREWER will deliver a transferable platform for converting variable secondary
raw materials into robust functional materials, advancing both high-entropy materials chemistry and sustainable battery-waste valorisation.
phosphates (HEMPs). Moving beyond recycling strategies based mainly on the complete separation of individual metals, the project will exploit waste-
derived multi-metal mixtures containing Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Al, Li, P and other minor elements as chemically rich feedstocks for advanced materials.
The project will develop HEMP libraries, including amorphous/hydrated phosphates, transition-metal hydroxyphosphates, olivine-type and NASICON-type
phosphates, and carbon-supported phases. Rather than targeting a single ideal composition, CHEMPHOREWER will identify robust synthesis–composition
regions able to tolerate feedstock variability while preserving structural integrity and functional performance.
A key scientific challenge will be to distinguish genuine multicationic/high-entropy phosphate phases from physical mixtures of segregated mono- or
bimetallic phosphates. This will be addressed through controlled synthesis, multiscale structural, microstructural and surface characterization, and data-
driven interpretation. Computational modelling, AI/ML tools, FAIR data management and sustainability screening will act as a decision engine to map
composition–structure–property relationships, reduce trial-and-error experimentation and guide the selection of the most promising materials.
The functional potential of the HEMP libraries will be validated in catalytic and photo/electrocatalytic processes relevant to clean energy and environmental
remediation, including oxygen evolution, ammonia oxidation and pollutant degradation. By integrating waste recovery, materials chemistry, advanced
characterization, predictive modelling and performance feedback, CHEMPHOREWER will deliver a transferable platform for converting variable secondary
raw materials into robust functional materials, advancing both high-entropy materials chemistry and sustainable battery-waste valorisation.