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Solar-driven membrane separation for direct lithium extraction from artificial salt-lake brine

Author

Listed:
  • Shenxiang Zhang

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Xian Wei

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Xue Cao

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Meiwen Peng

    (Soochow University)

  • Min Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lin Jiang

    (Soochow University)

  • Jian Jin

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

Abstract

The demand for lithium extraction from salt-lake brines is increasing to address the lithium supply shortage. Nanofiltration separation technology with high Mg2+/Li+ separation efficiency has shown great potential for lithium extraction. However, it usually requires diluting the brine with a large quantity of freshwater and only yields Li+-enriched solution. Inspired by the process of selective ion uptake and salt secretion in mangroves, we report here the direct extraction of lithium from salt-lake brines by utilizing the synergistic effect of ion separation membrane and solar-driven evaporator. The ion separation membrane-based solar evaporator is a multilayer structure consisting of an upper photothermal layer to evaporate water, a hydrophilic porous membrane in the middle to generate capillary pressure as the driving force for water transport, and an ultrathin ion separation membrane at the bottom to allow Li+ to pass through and block other multivalent ions. This process exhibits excellent lithium extraction capability. When treating artificial salt-lake brine with salt concentration as high as 348.4 g L−1, the Mg2+/Li+ ratio is reduced by 66 times (from 19.8 to 0.3). This research combines ion separation with solar-driven evaporation to directly obtain LiCl powder, providing an efficient and sustainable approach for lithium extraction.

Suggested Citation

  • Shenxiang Zhang & Xian Wei & Xue Cao & Meiwen Peng & Min Wang & Lin Jiang & Jian Jin, 2024. "Solar-driven membrane separation for direct lithium extraction from artificial salt-lake brine," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-44625-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44625-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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