Summary
Dr. Mostafa Khodakarami is an Assistant Professor of Metallurgical Engineering in the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research focuses on developing advanced separation and purification technologies for recovery of valuable elements from primary and secondary sources.
His research spans mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, solvent extraction, membrane and electrochemical separations, adsorption, and water treatment. A central theme of his work is the design and application of task-specific chemicals and functional materials to improve process selectivity, efficiency, and sustainability. His group also employs molecular modeling, computational fluid dynamics, and data-driven approaches to better understand and design separation processes from the molecular to process scale.
Research interests
- Separation and purification technologies
- Colloid, surface, and interfacial science
- Task-specific chemicals and functional materials
- Resource recovery from mine wastes, industrial residues, wastewater, and end-of-life materials
- Water treatment, purification, and recycling
- Computational and data-driven approaches to separation processes
Courses taught
MET 422/622 – Advanced Mineral Processing
Appointments
Assistant Research Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno (March 2024-June 2026).
Patents and patent applications
- Khodakarami, M.; Alagha, L.; “Task-specific Ionic Liquids for Selective Separation and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements” (US Patent 11,845,670).
- Zeng, H.; Khodakarami, M.; “Ionic Liquid Demulsifiers for Emulsion Separation and Bitumen Dewatering” (US Patent App. 18/737,311).
- Khodakarami, M.; Honaker, R.; “Photothermal Polymeric Aerogels for Wastewater Detoxification and Recycling thereof” (US Patent App. 63/465,150).
- Khodakarami, M.; Honaker, R.; “Adsorptive Membranes for Recovery of Lithium and Solar-driven Recycling of Water from Geothermal Brines” (US Patent App. 19/182,166).
Education
- Postdoctoral Scholarship, Department of Mining Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2024.
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, 2022.
- D., Minerals Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2019.
- Sc., Mineral Processing Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University, 2014.
- B.Sc., Mining Engineering, University of Zanjan, 2011.
Selected publications
- Khodakarami, M.; Vasquez, V. R. “Chlorine Transport and Decay Analysis in Water Distribution Systems Using Hydraulic Simulation and Physics- and Chemistry-Informed Graph Neural Networks.” Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 2026, 13, 101321.
- Khodakarami, M.; Rahman, M. H.; Misra, M.; Menezes, P. L. “Structure–Property–Biodegradability Relationships in Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquids: Experimental Investigation and DFT Computations.” Journal of Molecular Structure, 2026, 1349, 143764.
- Shafique, S.; Khodakarami, M.; Islam, M. S.; Menezes, P. L.; Misra, M. “Graphite Surface Energy Descriptors and Floatability from Spent Li-ion Batteries: The Interplay of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Binder and Microwave Treatment.” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2026, 733, 139320.
- Khodakarami, M.; Honaker, R. “Photothermal Self-Floating Aerogels Based on Chitosan Functionalized with Polydopamine and Carbon Nanotubes for Removal of Arsenic from Wastewater.” Science of the Total Environment, 2024, 912, 169519.
- Khodakarami, M.; Bagheri, M. “Recent Advances in Synthesis and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites for Water and Wastewater Treatment.” Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021, 296, 126404.
- Khodakarami, M.; Alagha, L. Z. “Separation and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements Using Novel Ammonium-Based Task-Specific Ionic Liquids with Bidentate and Tridentate O-Donor Functional Groups.” Separation and Purification Technology, 2020, 232, 115952.
- Khodakarami, M.; Alagha, L. Z.; Burnett, D. J. “Probing Surface Characteristics of Rare Earth Minerals Using Contact Angle Measurements, Atomic Force Microscopy, and Inverse Gas Chromatography.” ACS Omega, 2019, 4, 13319–13329.
- Khodakarami, M.; Molatlhegi, O.; Alagha, L. Z. “Evaluation of Ash and Coal Response to Hybrid Polymeric Nanoparticles in Flotation Process: Data Analysis Using Self-Learning Neural Network.” International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization, 2019, 39(4), 199–218.
- Alsafasfeh, A.; Khodakarami, M.; Alagha, L. Z.; Moats, M.; Molatlhegi, O. “Selective Depression of Silicates in Phosphate Flotation Using Polyacrylamide-Grafted Nanoparticles.” Minerals Engineering, 2018, 127, 198–207.
- Khodakarami, M.; Alagha, L. Z. “High-Performance Polymers for Separation and Purification Processes: An Overview.” Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 2017, 56(18), 2019–2042.