● Peer-reviewed Journal Publications (*Corresponding author)
2023
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. (Accepted)
57.*Bao, S., Chen, B., Zhang, Y., Ren, L., Xin, C., Ding, W., ... & 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. Minerals and Mineral Materials. (accepted)
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 N., Ji B., Li Q., 2020. Effects of contaminant metal ions on the precipitation recovery of rare earth elements using oxalic acid. Journal of Rare Earth. Accepted. [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)
● Peer-Reviewed Proceedings
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, Nasvhille, TN, May 5-7.
● None Peer-Reviewed Proceedings
● Patents and Patent Applications
5. Honaker R.Q., Werner J., Zhang W., 2020. Apparatus and method for power generation and valuable element recovery from combustion by-products. US Patent, being process (Application No: 16/773 081; Publication No: US 2020/0332393 A1)
4. Honaker R.Q., Zhang W., 2020. Method for recovering valuable elements from precombustion coal-based materials. US Patent, being process (Application No: 16/832,157; Publication No. US 2020/0308667 A1).
3. Zhang W., Honaker R.Q., 2018. Low-cost selective precipitation circuit for recovery of rare earth elements from acid leachate of coal waste. US Patent, being processed (Application No. 62/185,120; Publication No. US 2019/0136344 A1).
2. China Patent Office, patent number CN102277206B, co-authored (2013). Coke oven gas desulfurization via adding hydrogen.
1. China Patent Office, patent number CN101912776A, co-authored (2010). Hydrogenation material for olefins in coke oven gas and preparation method thereof.
● Book Chapters
● Presentations
Conference Presentations with Abstracts
14. Zhang W., 2021. "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.
13. Zhang W., 2020. "Surface chemistry study of monazite flotation," 4th China International Conference of Young Scholars in Minerals Processing, Nanning, Guangxi, August 19-21, 2020.
12. Zhang W., 2020. "Extraction of rare earth elements from coal waste," 11th Annual Professional Engineers in Mining Seminar, Lebanon, Virginia , October 29, 2020.
11. Yang X., Zhang W., Honaker R., 2020. “Production of high purity rare earth oxide from bituminous coalbased sources using a multi-stage selective precipitate circuit,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 23-26, 2020.
10. Gupta T., Zhang W., Honaker R., 2020. “Oxidation Pretreatment for Enhanced Leachability of Rare Earth Elements from Bituminous Coal Sources,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 23-26, 2020.
9. Zhang W., Honaker R., 2020. “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.
8. Zhang W., Honaker R., 2019. “Effects of Calcination Pretreatment on Rare Earth Element Recovery from Bituminous Coal Sources,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Denver, Colorado, February 24-27, 2019.
7. Honaker, R.Q., Werner, J., Zhang, W., Yoon, R.-H., Luttrell, G.H. and Noble, A., 2018. “Production of Critical Rare Earth Element Concentrates from Coal Sources,” Presentation, 43nd International Technical Conference on Clean Energy, Sheraton Sand Key, Clearwater, Florida, June 3-8, 2018, Presentation No. 153.
6. Zhang W., Honaker R., 2018. “Selective precipitation of rare earth elements from leachates generated from coal coarse refuse,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 25-28, 2018.
5. Zhang W., Honaker R., 2018. “Utilizing the multi-site complexation model to explain hydroxamate adsorption on mineral surfaces,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Minneapolis, February 25-28, 2018.
4. Zhang W., 2018. “Enhanced flotation separation of monazite from calcite using sodium silicate and EDTA,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 25-28, 2018. (Invited)
3. Zhang W., Honaker R., Groppo J., 2017. “Concentration of rare earth minerals from coal by froth flotation, SME Annual Conference & Expo,” Denver, Colorado, February 19-22, 2017.
2. Zhang W., Honaker R., 2017, “Fundamental study of octanohydroxamic acid adsorption on monazite,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Denver, Colorado, February 19-22, 2017.
1. Honaker R., Groppo J., Bhagavatula A., Rezaee M, Zhang W., 2016. “Recovery of rare earth minerals and elements from coal and coal byproducts,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 21-24, 2016.
Conference Presentations (without Abstracts) & Posters
5. Ji B., Zhou Z., Zhang W., 2021. “The Mineralogy of Rare Earth Elements in Coal Refuse Investigated Using SEM-EDS,” NNCI REU Convocation, virtual meeting, August 3, 2021. (presentation & poster)
4. Gupta T., Zhang W., Honaker R., 2020. “Oxidation Pretreatment for Enhanced Leachability of Rare Earth Elements from Bituminous Coal Sources,” SME Annual Conference and Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 22-26, 2020. (Published abstract for Graduate Poster Competition)
3. Gupta T., Zhang W. Honaker R., 2020. “Environmental Assessment of Acid Leaching Solid Residuals from Bituminous Coal Sources,” SME Annual Conference and Expo, Phoenix, Arizona, February 22-26, 2020. (Published abstract for Environmental Division Poster Competition)
2. Gupta T., Zhang W. Honaker R., 2019. “Low-Temperature Plasma Treatment for Enhanced Recovery of Rare Earth Elements From Coal,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Denver, Colorado, February 24-27, 2019. (Published abstract for Graduate Poster Competition)
1. Gupta T., Zhang W., Honaker R., 2019. “Effect of Low-Temperature Plasma Pretreatment on Rare Earth Element Leachability from Coal,” SME Annual Conference & Expo, Denver, Colorado, February 24-27, 2019. (Published abstract for MPD Poster Competition)