Phys.org October 22, 2024 In contrast to the predominant production of lithium from hard rock, lithium extraction from brine sources has proven more economical and sustainable. However, the low efficiency of the extraction process, complex composition and poor selectivity against magnesium, are the major competing species. Researchers in Australia showed a loose nanofiltration process involving ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for direct and efficient Li+ extraction as well as effective Mg2+ utilization from salt-lake brines. Taking advantage of selective binding between EDTA4− and Mg2+, their process achieved ultrahigh Mg2+ rejection of 99.85%, ultrafast Li+ flux and unprecedented Li+/Mg2+ separation factor under industrial […]
Tag Archives: Lithium production
Revolutionizing lithium production on a string
Science Daily September 7, 2023 A team of researchers in the US (Princeton University, University of Maryland) has developed an efficient and self-concentrating crystallization method for the selective extraction of lithium from both brine and seawater. The sequential and separable crystallization of cation species with different concentrations and solubilities was enabled by a twisted and slender 3D porous natural cellulose fibre structure via capillary and evaporative flows. The process exhibited an evaporation rate as high as 9.8 kg m−2 h−1, and it selectively concentrated lithium by orders of magnitude. They characterized the composition and spatial distribution of crystals, and a transport model deciphered […]