Publications

Welcome to our research projects page. This is a space where we share our latest publications. Feel free to browse through and learn more about our research endeavors.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications (*Corresponding author)

2024:

77. Pan, Y., Zhang, Y., Thompson, C., Liu, G., & *Zhang, W. (2024). Electrospun Lithium Porous Nanosorbent Fibers for Enhanced Lithium Adsorption and Sustainable Applications. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16, 54259-54271. [Link to Full Text]

76. Zhang, N., Yang, R., Huang, H. D., Meng, J., Zhang, W., Park, A. H. A., & *Moment, A. (2024). Integrated Recovery of Iron and Nickel from Olivine Ores Using Solvent Extraction: Synergistic Production of Amorphous Silica and Carbonates through pH Adjustment and Carbon Mineralization. ACS ES&T Engineering [Link to Full Text]

75. Ghaderi, S., Ji, B., Veach, D. M., Park, A. H. A., Meng, J., & *Zhang, W. (2024). A comprehensive study on the leaching characteristics and mechanisms of nickel and cobalt from olivine. Minerals Engineering, 218, 108992. [Link to Full Text]

74. *Muhoza, E., Zhang, W., Amini, S.H., (2024). Systematic investigation on bastnaesite flotation in the presence of dissolved calcium ions using organic acids as chelating agents. Minerals Engineering, 218, 108977 [Link to Full Text]

73. Tran, T.Q., Li, S., Ji, B., Zhao, X., Zhang, W., *Brandy, A.S. (2024). Mitigating zinc leachate from end-of-life tire rubber in stabilized clayey soils. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 150(11), 04024107 [Link to Full Text]

72. Li, S., *Zhang, W., Xia, Y., Li, Q. (2024). Enhanced reducing capacity of citric acid for lithium-ion battery recycling under microwave-assisted leaching. Waste Management, 189, 23-33. [Link to Full Text]

71. Li, S., & *Zhang, W. (2024). Process Development for Rare Earth Elements Recovery and Struvite Production from Biocrudes. Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, 1-13. [Link to Full Text]

70. Li, Q., Xiao, Z., & *Zhang, W. (2024). Sulfide precipitation characteristics of Mn, Ni, Co, and Zn in the presence of contaminant metal ions. Minerals Engineering, 215, 108814. [Link to Full Text]

69. Liu, P., *Wang, X., & Zhang, W. (2025). The development of an efficient precipitation-flotation-dewatering (PFD) process for acid mine drainage treatment. Separation and Purification Technology, 353, 128542. [Link to Full Text]

68. Tran, T. Q., Li, S., Ji, B., Zhao, X., Rahat, M. H. H., Nguyen, T. N., Lee., B.C., Zhang, W., & *Brand, A. S. (2024). Mitigation of zinc and organic carbon leached from end-of-life tire rubber in cementitious composites. Construction and Building Materials, 432, 136589. [Link to Full Text]

67. Pan, Y., Ji, B., & *Zhang, W. (2024). Charge transfer-driven enhanced lithium extraction using poly (acrylic) acid-modified layered double hydroxide. Chemical Engineering Journal, 152939. [Link to Full Text]

66. Pan, Y. N., *Ji, B., *Zhang, W., Xia, Y., Li, Q., & Rena, B. (2024). Selective extraction of lithium from shale gas produced water using an aluminum-based adsorbent. Green and Smart Mining Engineering, 1(2), 208-219. [Link to Full Text]

65. Ji, B., Pedraza, S., Noble, A., *Zhang, W., Deng, S., Das, S., & Van Brunt, M. (2024). A Preliminary Study on the Beneficiation and Recovery of Valuable Metals from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 1-14. [Link to Full Text]

64. Xiao, Z., & *Zhang, W. (2024). Review of allanite: Properties, occurrence and mineral processing technologies. Green and Smart Mining Engineering, 1(1), 40-52. [Link to Full Text]

63. Li, S., Ji, B., *Zhang, W., (2024). Rare Earth Element Recovery and Hydrochar Evaluation from Hyperaccumulator by Acid Leaching and Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization. Minerals, 14(3), 277. [Link to Full Text]

62. Li, S., *Zhang, W., (2024). REE recovery and hydrochar production from a hyperaccumulator by microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization. Minerals Engineering 208, 108595. [Link to Full Text]

61. Liu, W., Xiao, Z., Das, S., *Zhang, W. (2024). Mechanism and kinetic study of rare earth extraction from allanite by direct acid leaching. Minerals Engineering 205, 108489. [Link to Full Text]

2023:

60. *Muhoza, E., *Gibson, K., *Zhang, W., *Amini, S. H. (2023). Evaluation of lactic and succinic acids as green depressants for selective flotation separation of bastnaesite from calcite. Minerals Engineering, 204, 108435. [Link to Full Text]

59. Li, S., Ji, B., *Zhang, W. (2023). A review on the thermochemical treatments of biomass: Implications for hydrochar production and rare earth element recovery from hyperaccumulators. Chemosphere, 140140. [Link to Full Text]

58. Ji, B., Xia, A., *Zhang, W. (2023). Thermal phase transformation behavior of florencite and implications on the leaching recovery of rare earth elements (REEs). Powder Technology. [Link to Full Text]

57.*Bao, S., Chen, B., Zhang, Y., Ren, L., Xin, C., Ding, W., Yang, S., & Zhang, W. (2023). A comprehensive review on the ultrasound-enhanced leaching recovery of valuable metals: Applications, mechanisms and prospects. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 106525. [Link to Full Text]

56. Li, S., Tran, T. Q., Li, Q., Ji, B., Brand, A. S., & *Zhang, W. (2023). Zn leaching recovery and mechanisms from end-of-life tire rubber. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 194, 107004.. [Link to Full Text]

55. *Deng, S., Xiao, Z., Zhang, W., Noble, A., Das, S., Yih, Y., & Sutherland, J. W. (2023). Economic analysis of precious metal recovery from electronic waste through gas-assisted microflow extraction. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 190, 106810. [Link to Full Text]

2022:

54. Tran, T. Q., Thomas, B. S., Zhang, W., Ji, B., Li, S., & *Brand, A. S. (2022). A comprehensive review on treatment methods for end-of-life tire rubber used for rubberized cementitious materials. Construction and Building Materials, 359, 129365. [Link to Full Text]

53. Li, Q., & *Zhang, W. (2022). Effects of calcination temperature on the occurrence modes of rare earth elements in coal. Powder Technology, 407, 117670. [Link to Full Text]

52. Ji, B., & *Zhang, W. (2022). Adsorption of cerium (III) by zeolites synthesized from kaolinite after rare earth elements (REEs) recovery. Chemosphere, 303, 134941. [Link to Full Text]

51. Lobeda, K., Jin, Q., Wu, J., Zhang, W., & *Huang, H. (2022). Lactic acid production from food waste hydrolysate by Lactobacillus pentosus: Focus on nitrogen supplementation, initial sugar concentration, pH, and fed‐batch fermentation. Journal of Food Science, 87(7), 3071-3083. [Link to Full Text]

50. Li, Q., Ji, B., Xiao, Z., & *Zhang, W. (2022). Alkali pretreatment effects on acid leaching recovery of rare earth elements from coal waste of the Western Kentucky No. 13 and Fire Clay seams. Miner. Miner. Mater, 1(7). [Link to Full Text]

49. Li, Q., Ji, B., Honaker, R., Noble, A., *Zhang, W., 2022. Partitioning Behavior and Mechanisms of Rare Earth Elements during Precipitation in an Acid Mine Drainage. Colloids and Surfaces A, 641, 128563. [Link to Full Text]

48. Li, Q., *Zhang, W., 2022. Process development for recovering critical elements from acid mine drainage. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, 180, 106214. [Link to Full Text]

47. Ji, B., Li, Q., Tang, H., *Zhang W., 2022. Rare earth elements (REEs) recovery from coal waste of the Western Kentucky No. 13 and Fire Clay Seams. Part II: Re-investigation on the effect of calcination. Fuel, 315, 123145. [Link to Full Text]

46. Ji, B., Li, Q., Honaker, R., *Zhang, W., 2022. Acid leaching recovery and occurrence modes of rare earth elements (REEs) from natural kaolinites. Minerals Engineering, 175, 107278. [Link to Full Text]

45. Fu, B., Hower, J., Zhang, W., Luo, G., Hu, H., *Yao, H., 2022. A review of rare earth elements and yttrium in coal ash: content, modes of occurrences, combustion behavior, and extraction methods, 88, 100954. [Link to Full Text]

44. Ji, B., Li, Q., *Zhang, W., 2022. Rare earth elements (REEs) recovery from coal waste of the Western Kentucky No. 13 and Fire Clay Seams. Part I: Mineralogical characterization using SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS. Fuel, 307, 121854. [Link to Full Text]

2021:

43. Ji, B., *Zhang, W., 2021. The effect of mechanical grinding and thermal treatment on the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from kaolinite. Powder Technology, 394, 622-631. [Link to Full Text]

42. Ji, B., Li, Q., Huang, Q., *Zhang, W., 2021. Enhanced leaching recovery of rare earth elements from a phosphatic waste clay through calcination pretreatment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 139, 128654. [Link to Full Text]

41. Ji, B., *Zhang, W., 2021. Rare earth elements (REEs) recovery and porous silica preparation from kaolinite. Powder Technology, 391, 522-531. [Link to Full Text]

2020:

40. Ji, B., Li, Q., *Zhang, W., 2020. Leaching recovery of rare earth elements from the calcination product of a coal coarse refuse using organic acids. Journal of Rare Earths. Accepted. [Link to Full Text]

39. Deng, J., Yang, S., Zhang, W., *Liu, C., Li, H., 2020. The effect of lizardite on talc flotation using carboxymethyl cellulose as a depressant. Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing, 56(4), 702-709. [Link to Full Text]

38. *Zhang, W., Noble, A., Ji, B., & Li, Q. (2022). Effects of contaminant metal ions on precipitation recovery of rare earth elements using oxalic acid. Journal of Rare Earths, 40(3), 482-490. [Link to Full Text]

37. Zhang, P., Jin, S., *Ou, L., *Zhang, W., Zhu, Y., 2020. Fine bauxite recovery using a plate-packed flotation column. Metals, 10 (9), 1184. [Link to Full Text]

36. Zhang, P., *Zhang, W., *Ou, L., Zhu, Y., Zhu, Z., 2020. Enhanced bauxite recovery using a flotation column packed with multilayers of medium. Minerals, 10 (7), 594. [Link to Full Text]

35. *Zhang, W., Noble, A., Yang, X., Honaker, R., 2020. A comprehensive review of rare earth elements recovery from coal-related materials. Minerals, 10 (5), 451. [Link to Full Text]

34. *Zhang, W., Honaker, R., 2020. Process development for the recovery of rare earth elements and critical metals from an acid mine leachate. Minerals Engineering, 153, 128-136. [Link to Full Text]

33. Zeng, G., *Ou, L., Zhang, W., Zhu, Y., 2020. Effects of sodium alginate on the flotation separation of molybdenite from chalcopyrite using kerosene as collector. Frontiers in Chemistry, 8, 242. [Link to Full Text]

32. *Zhang, W., Noble, A., 2020. Mineralogy characterization and recovery of rare earth elements from the roof and floor materials of the Guxu coalfield. Fuel, 270, 117533. [Link to Full Text]

31. *Zhang, W., Noble, A., Yang, X., Honaker, R., 2020. Lithium leaching recovery and mechanisms from density fractions of an Illinois Basin bituminous coal. Fuel, 268, 117319. [Link to Full Text]

30. *Zhang, W., Honaker, R., 2020. Characterization and recovery of rare earth elements and other critical metals (Co, Cr, Li, Mn, Sr, and V) from the calcination products of a coal refuse sample. Fuel, 267, 117236. [Link to Full Text]

29. *Honaker, R., Zhang, W., Werner, J., Noble, A., Luttrell, G.H., Yoon, R.H., 2020. Enhancement of a process flowsheet for recovering and concentrating critical materials from bituminous coal sources. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 37(1), 3-20. [Link to Full Text]

2019:

28. Zhang, W., *Liu, C., 2019. The effect of diesel emulsification using sodium petroleum sulfonate on carbon flotation from fly ash. Waste Management, 98, 144-150. [Link to Full Text]

Prior to Virginia Tech

27. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R.Q., 2019. Calcination pretreatment effects on acid leaching characteristics of rare earth elements from a bituminous source coal. Fuel, 249, 130-145. [Link to Full Text]

26. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R.Q., 2019. Enhanced leachability of rare earth elements from calcined products of bituminous coals. Minerals Engineering, 142, 105935. [Link to Full Text]

25. *Honaker, R., Zhang, W., Werner, J., 2019. Acid Leaching of Rare Earth Elements from Coal and Coal Ash: Implications for Using Fluidized Bed Combustion to Assist in the Recovery of Critical Materials. Energy & Fuels, 33(7), 5971-5980. [Link to Full Text]

24. Liu, C., *Zhang, W., Song, S., Li, H., 2019. Study on the activation mechanism of lead ions in wolframite flotation using benzyl hydroxamic acid as the collector. Minerals Engineering, 141, 105859. [Link to Full Text]

23. Liu, C., *Zhang, W., Song, S., Li, H., Liu, Y., 2019. Flotation separation of smithsonite from calcite using 2-phosphonobutane-1, 2, 4-tricarboxylic acid as a depressant. Powder Technology, 352, 11-15. [Link to Full Text]

22. *Liu, C., Feng, Q., Shi, Q., Zhang, W., *Song, S., 2019. Utilization of N-carboxymethyl chitosan as a selective depressant for talc in flotation of chalcopyrite. Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing, 55(1), 108-115. [Link to Full Text]

21. Liu, C., *Zhang, W., Li, H., 2019. Selective flotation of apatite from calcite using 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid as depressant. Minerals Engineering, 136, 62-65. [Link to Full Text]

20. Liu, C., *Zhang, W., Song, S., Li, H., 2019. Effects of lizardite on pentlandite flotation at different pH: Implications for the role of particle-particle Interaction. Minerals Engineering, 132, 8-13. [Link to Full Text]

19. Liu, C., *Zhang, W., Song, S., Li, H., 2019. A novel method to improve carboxymethyl cellulose actions in the flotation of talc. Minerals Engineering, 137, 23-27. [Link to Full Text]. (This article has been listed as Most Cited Paper in the journal homepage)

18. Liu, C., *Zhang, W., Song, S., Jiao, X., 2019. A novel insight of the effect of sodium chloride on the sulfidization of cerussite. Powder Technology, 344, 103-107. [Link to Full Text]

17. *Feng, B., Peng, J., Zhang, W., Ning, X., Guo, Y., Zhang, W., 2018. Use of locust bean gum in flotation separation of chalcopyrite and talc. Minerals Engineering, 2018, 79-83. [Link to Full Text]

16. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R.Q., 2018. Rare earth recovery using staged precipitation from a leachate generated from coarse coal refuse. International Journal of Coal Geology, 195, 189-199. [Link to Full Text]

15. *Honaker, R.Q., Zhang, W., Yang, X., Rezaee, M., 2018. Conception of an integrated flowsheet for rare earth elements recovery from coal coarse refuse. Minerals Engineering, 122, 233-240. [Link to Full Text]

14. Zhang, W., Yang, X., *Honaker, R.Q., 2018. Association characteristic study and preliminary recovery investigation of rare earth elements (REEs) from a Fire Clay coal. Fuel, 215, 551-560. [Link to Full Text]

13. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R.Q., Groppo, J., 2018. Flotation of monazite in the presence of calcite part II: Enhanced separation performance using sodium silicate and EDTA. Minerals Engineering, 127, 318-328. [Link to Full Text]

12. Chen, Y., *Shi, Q., Feng, Q., Lu, Y., Zhang, W. 2018. The effect of conditioning on the flotation of pyrrhotite in the presence of chlorite. Minerals, 7(7), 125, 1-12. [Link to Full Text]

11. Ai, G., *Liu, C., Zhang, W., 2018. Utilization of sodium humate as a selective depressant for calcite on the flotation of scheelite. Separation Science and Technology, 53(13), 2136-2143. [Link to Full Text]

10. Yan, W., *Liu, C., Ai, G., Feng, Q., Zhang, W., 2017. Flotation separation of scheelite from calcite using mixed collectors. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 169, 106-110. [Link to Full Text]

9. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R.Q., Groppo, J., 2017. Flotation of monazite in the presence of calcite part I: Calcium ion effects on the adsorption of hydroxamic acid. Minerals Engineering, 100, 40-48. [Link to Full Text]. (This article has been listed as Most Cited Paper in the journal homepage)

8. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R.Q., Groppo, J., 2017. Concentration of rare earth minerals from coal by froth flotation. Minerals & Metallurgical Processing, 34(3), 132-137. [Link to Full Text]

7. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R.Q., 2017. Surface charges of monazite in aqueous systems. Powder Technology, 318, 263-271. [Link to Full Text]

6. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R.Q., 2017. A fundamental study of the adsorption of hydroxamic acid on monazite. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 164, 26-36. [Link to Full Text]

5. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R., 2015. Studies on carbon flotation from fly ash. Fuel Processing Technology, 139, 236-241. [Link to Full Text]

4. Zhang, W., Rezaee, M., Bhagavatula, A., Li, Y., Groppo, J., *Honaker, R., 2015. A Review of the occurrence and promising recovery methods of rare earth elements from coal and coal byproducts. International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization, 35(6), 295-330. [Link to Full Text]. (This article has been listed as Most Cited Paper in the journal homepage)

3. *Hower, J., Groppo, J., Henke, K. R., Hood, M. M., Eble, C. F., Honaker, R. Q., Zhang, W., Qian, D., 2015. Notes on the potential for the concentration of rare earth elements and yttrium in coal combustion fly ash. Minerals, 5(2), 356-366. [Link to Full Text]

2. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R., Li, Y., Chen, J., 2014. The importance of mechanical scrubbing in magnetite-concentrate reverse-flotation. Minerals Engineering, 69, 133-136. [Link to Full Text]

1. *Ou, L., Zhang, W., Feng, Q., Wang, L., Li, H., 2014. Study of gas hold-up in a horizontal packing flotation column. Nonferrous Metals (Mineral Processing Section), 2, 65-69. (in Chinese with English abstract)

Patent Granted:

1. Zhang W., Honaker R.Q. Low-cost selective precipitation circuit for recovery of rare earth elements from acid leachate of coal waste. U.S. Patent No. 11,155,897 B2; Issued October 26, 2021.
2. Honaker R.Q., Zhang W. Method for recovering valuable elements from precombustion coal-based materials. U.S. Patent No. 11,821,054; Issued November 21, 2023.
3. China Patent Office, patent number CN102277206B, co-inventor (2013). Coke oven gas desulfurization via adding hydrogen.
4. China Patent Office, patent number CN101912776A, co-inventor (2010). Hydrogenation material for olefins in coke oven gas and preparation method thereof.

Provisional and Formal Patent Application Submitted:

1. Zhang, W., Li, S. Methods for recovery of critical materials from battery waste. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/687,414; Filed August 27, 2024.

2. Zhang, W., Pan, Y. Compositions and methods for fibrous polymer-modified layered double hydroxide. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/675,470; Filed July 25, 2024.

3. Zhang, W., Pan, Y. Compositions and methods for polymer-modified lithium/aluminum layered double hydroxide (Li/Al-LDH). U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/654,487; Filed May 31, 2024.
4. Zhang, W., Wang, X. Method of carbon mineralization. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/556,987; Filed February 23, 2024.
5. Zhang, W., Das, S. Gas-assisted microflow extraction (GAME) system patent. U.S. Patent Application No. 18/340,248; Applied June 23, 2023. (Formal application)
6. Zhang, W., Das, S. A novel process and flotation chemistry for valuable metal recovery from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash. U.S. Patent Application No. 18/514,620; Applied November 20, 2023. (Formal application)
7. Zhang W., Li Q., Honaker R., 2021. Innovative circuit for recovering critical elements from leachate of coal-based materials. US Patent Application No: 63/266,414. (Formal application)
8. Honaker R.Q., Werner J., Zhang W., 2020. Apparatus and method for power generation and valuable element recovery from combustion by-products. US Patent Application No: 16/773 081. (Formal application)

IP Disclosures:
1. Zhang W., 2023. A novel technology for valuable metal recovery during the carbon mineralization of CO2-reactive minerals. VT IP Disclosure. Number: 23-071.
2. Zhang W., 2022. Ultrafine Mineral Separation and Recovery Using Switchable Hydrophobicity Solvents. Intellectual Property Disclosure. VT IP Disclosure.

Patents, Patent Applications, IP Disclosures

Conference Proceedings/Presentations

Accepted on the basis of peer review of full paper (presenter is underlined):

5. *Honaker, R.Q., Werner, J., Yang, X., Chandra, A., Zhang, W., Noble, A. Pilot plant evaluations of rare earth element recovery and concentration efforts from pre-combustion bituminous coal sources. COM 2020. October 14-15, 2020 (virtual).
4. *Honaker, R.Q., Yang, X., Chandra, A., Zhang, W., Werner, J., 2018. Hydrometallurgical extraction of rare earth elements from coal sources. Processing of Critical Metal. Extraction. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Aug 26-29.
3. Zhang, W., *Honaker, R., Groppo, J., 2016. Fundamental study of the effects of sodium hexametaphosphate in monazite-calcite flotation system, XXVIII International Mineral Processing Congress. Québec, Canada, Sep 11-15.
2. *Honaker, R., Groppo, J., Bhagavatula, A., Rezaee, M., Zhang, W., 2016. Recovery of Rare Earth Minerals and Elements from Coal and Coal Byproducts, International Coal Preparation Conference. Louisville, USA, April 25-27.
1. Zhang, W., Groppo, J., *Honaker R., 2015. Ash beneficiation for REE recovery, World of Coal Ash Conference, Nashville, TN, May 5-7.

Accepted on the basis of abstract (presenter is underlined):

42. Li, S., Zhang, W., “Sustainable mineral production via innovative technologies,” The Geological Society of America Connects 2024 Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation)

42. Zhou, Z., Zhang, W., “Graphite recycling from factory lithium-ion battery anode scrap,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation)
41. Xiao, Z., Liu, W., Das, S., Zhang, W., “Mechanism and kinetic study of rare earth extraction from allanite by direct acid leaching,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation & Poster; 6th place in the MPD Division Student Poster Contest)
40. Liu, P., Wang, X., Zhang, W., “The Development of a Novel Precipitation-flotation-dewatering (PFD) Process for Acid Mine Drainage Treatment,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Poster)
39. Wang, Y., Wang, X., Zhang, W., “The Effect of Ex-situ CO2 Pretreatment on the Grindability of Chalcopyrite,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Poster; 3rd place in the MPD Division Student Poster Contest)
38. Pan, Y., Ji, B., Zhang, W., “Unlocking Lithium Resources in Shale Gas Produced Water through Selective Adsorption using an Aluminum-Based Adsorbent,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Poster)
37. Zhang, W., Ji, B., Zhou, Z., Ghaderi, S., “Energy-Relevant Elements Recovery from Carbon Reactive Minerals Using a Novel Technology—CMME,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation)
36. Nawab, A., Honaker, R., Werner, J., Zhang, W., Noble, A., Free, M., Yang, X., “Pilot Scale Demonstration of Rare Earth and Critical Element Recovery from Low-Grade Bituminous Coal Sources,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation)
35. Xiao, Z., Liu, W., Zhang, W., “Enrichment of Rare Earth in Allanite Through Comprehensive Screening of Flotation Agents,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation)
34. Ji, B., Zhang, W., “Recovery of Valuable Metals from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) Bottom Ash by an Integrated Hydrometallurgical Process,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation)
33. Li, S., Ji, B., Zhang, W., “Rare Earth Element Recovery and Hydrochar Production from a Hyperaccumulator by Acid Leaching and Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2023. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation & Poster)
32. Li, S., Ji, B., Zhang, W., “Zn Leaching Recovery and Mechanisms from End-of-Life Tire Rubber,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2024. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation)
31. Liu, W., Xiao, Z., Zhang, W., “Mechanism and Kinetic Study of Rare Earth Extraction from a Silicate Mineral Containing Allanite by Direct Acid Leaching,” 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 25 – 28, 2023. Phoenix, Arizona. (Presentation)
30. Ji, B., Zhang, W., “The beneficiation and recovery of valuable metals from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash,” 2023 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 26 – March 1, 2023. Denver, Colorado. (Presentation & Poster; 4th place in the Graduate Student Poster Contest)
29. Escalante, S., Zhang, W., “Mineralogical characterization of the valuable elements in municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash,” 2023 SME Annual Conference and Expo. February 26 – March 1, 2023. Denver, Colorado. (Presentation & Poster; 1st place in the Environmental Division Student Poster Contest)
28. Zhang, W., “Rare earth elements recovery from coal-based materials,” 2022 TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo., June 13-15, 2022, Washington, DC. (Presentation)
27. Muhoza, E., Zhang, W., Amini, H., “Bastnaesite flotation in the presence of Ca-containing minerals using organic acids,” SME General Graduate Student Poster Contest, 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Poster; 4th place)
26. Pedraza, S.E., Zhang, W., “Physical, chemical, and mineralogical characterization of municipal solid waste incineration ash,” MPD Poster Contest, 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Poster)
25. Xiao, Z., Zhang, W., “Low-concentration precious metal recovery from complex streams using gas-assisted microfluidic solvent extraction,” MPD Poster Contest, 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Poster)
24. Honaker, R., Free, M., Werner, J., Noble, A., Zhang, W., and Yang, X., “Scaled-production of rare earth oxides and critical materials from coal-based sources,” 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Presentation)
23. Muhoza, E., Gibson, K., Amini, S.H., Zhang, W., “Flotation of bastnaesite in the presence of calcite using organic acids,” 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Presentation)
22. Jones, B., Li, Q., Zhang, W., “Rare earth elements recovery from coal refuse using organic acids converted from food waste,” 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Presentation & Preprint)
21. Ji, B., Zhang, W., “The effect of mechanical grinding and thermal treatment on the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from kaolinite,” 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Presentation)
20. Ji, B., Zhou, Z., Zhang, W., “The effect of combustion on the leachability and occurrence modes of rare earth elements (REEs) in iPhones,” 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Presentation)
19. Pedraza, S.E., Ji, B., Zhang, W., “Physical and mineralogical characterizations of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash product,” 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Presentation)
18. Li, Q., Zhang, W., “Process development for recovering critical elements from an acid mine drainage,” 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Presentation)
17. Zhang, W., Ji, B., Li, Q., “Correlations between the mineralogy and recovery behavior of rare earth elements in coal refuse,” 2022 SME Annual Conference & Expo., 02/27-03/02, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Presentation)
16. Ji, B., Zhou, Z., Zhang, W., “The Mineralogy of Rare Earth Elements in Coal Refuse Investigated Using SEM-EDS,” NNCI REU Convocation, August 3, 2021. (Virtual presentation & Poster)
15. Gupta, T., Zhang, W., Honaker, R., “Oxidation Pretreatment for Enhanced Leachability of Rare Earth Elements from Bituminous Coal Sources,” SME Annual Conference and Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 22-26, 2020. (Presentation & Poster)
14. Gupta, T., Zhang, W. Honaker, R., “Environmental Assessment of Acid Leaching Solid Residuals from Bituminous Coal Sources,” SME Annual Conference and Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 22-26, 2020. (Presentation & Poster)
13. Zhang, W., "Effect of contaminant metal ions on the precipitation recovery of rare earth elements using oxalic acid," 2021 SME Annual Conference & Expo, Virtual Meeting, March 1-5, 2021. (Virtual presentation)
12. Zhang, W., "Surface chemistry study of monazite flotation," 4th China International Conference of Young Scholars in Minerals Processing, Nanning, Guangxi, August 19-21, 2020. (Virtual presentation, invited)
11. Yang, X., Zhang, W., Honaker, R., “Production of high purity rare earth oxide from bituminous coal-based sources using a multi-stage selective precipitate circuit,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 23-26, 2020. (Presentation)
10. Gupta, T., Zhang, W., Honaker, R., “Oxidation Pretreatment for Enhanced Leachability of Rare Earth Elements from Bituminous Coal Sources,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 23-26, 2020. (Presentation)
9. Zhang, W., Honaker, R., “Modes of occurrence of rare earth elements in the calcination products of coal and coal refuse,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 23-26, 2020. (Presentation)
8. Zhang, W., Honaker, R., “Effects of Calcination Pretreatment on Rare Earth Element Recovery from Bituminous Coal Sources,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Denver, Colorado, February 24-27, 2019. (Presentation)
7. Honaker, R.Q., Werner, J., Zhang, W., Yoon, R.-H., Luttrell, G.H. and Noble, A., “Production of Critical Rare Earth Element Concentrates from Coal Sources,” 43nd International Technical Conference on Clean Energy, Sheraton Sand Key, Clearwater, Florida, June 3-8, 2018, Presentation No. 153. (Presentation)
6. Zhang, W., Honaker, R., “Selective precipitation of rare earth elements from leachates generated from coal coarse refuse,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 25-28, 2018. (Presentation)
5. Zhang, W., Honaker, R., “Utilizing the multi-site complexation model to explain hydroxamate adsorption on mineral surfaces,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Minneapolis, February 25-28, 2018. (Presentation)
4. Zhang, W., “Enhanced flotation separation of monazite from calcite using sodium silicate and EDTA,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 25-28, 2018. (Presentation, invited)
3. Zhang, W., Honaker, R., Groppo, J., “Concentration of rare earth minerals from coal by froth flotation, SME Annual Conference & Expo,” Denver, Colorado, February 19-22, 2017. (Presentation)
2. Zhang, W., Honaker, R., “Fundamental study of octanohydroxamic acid adsorption on monazite,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Denver, Colorado, February 19-22, 2017. (Presentation)
1. Honaker, R., Groppo, J., Bhagavatula, A., Rezaee, M., Zhang, W., “Recovery of rare earth minerals and elements from coal and coal byproducts,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 21-24, 2016. (Presentation)