Heliyon,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
11(4), P. e42523 - e42523
Published: Feb. 1, 2025
This
study
estimates
water
consumption
in
two
lithium
mines
(Olaroz
and
Fénix)
that
use
different
extraction
technologies
Argentina's
salt
flats.
Based
on
Environmental
Impact
Reports
(EIRs),
we
assess
the
footprint
(WF)
brine
(BC)
both
mines.
To
best
of
our
knowledge,
this
is
first
to
estimate
WF
BC
for
provides
data
better
understand
its
implications
local
ecosystems
communities.
We
also
contextualize
freshwater
projects
by
estimating
blue
intensity
(WIblue)
population
equivalent
(PE),
namely
number
inhabitants
would
consume
an
volume
water.
Total
was
51.0
135.5
m3/ton
carbonate
(Li2CO3)
Olaroz
Fénix,
respectively.
Per
unit
product,
2.7
times
higher
Fénix
but
Olaroz.
WIblue
indicates
that,
while
had
a
WFblue,
impact
availability
moderate
due
greater
availability.
WFblue
32,238
141,047
their
nearest
towns
(Susques
Antofagasta
de
la
Sierra,
respectively,
with
current
less
than
2,100
inhabitants).
Our
findings
underscore
mining
can
have
important
impacts
vary
significantly
geographic
context.
EIRs
provide
useful
basis
BC,
though
certain
limitations
challenges
persist,
particularly
regarding
incomplete
or
insufficiently
detailed
data.
Selective
electrodialysis
(ED)
is
a
promising
membrane-based
process
to
separate
Li+
from
Mg2+,
which
the
most
critical
step
for
Li
extraction
brine
lakes.
This
study
theoretically
compares
ED-based
Li/Mg
separation
performance
of
different
monovalent
selective
cation
exchange
membranes
(CEMs)
and
nanofiltration
(NF)
at
coupon
scale
using
unified
mass
transport
model,
i.e.,
solution-friction
model.
We
demonstrated
that
CEMs
with
dense
surface
thin
film
like
polyamide
are
more
effective
in
enhancing
than
those
loose
but
highly
charged
film.
Polyamide
film-coated
when
used
ED
have
similar
polyamide-based
NF
NF.
membranes,
expected
replace
separation,
will
require
support
layer
low
tortuosity
high
porosity
reduce
internal
concentration
polarization.
The
coupon-scale
analysis
comparison
provide
new
insights
into
design
composite
ion–ion
separation.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
34(33)
Published: March 1, 2024
Abstract
The
demand
for
lithium
resources
is
growing
rapidly
due
to
the
continuous
development
of
lithium‐ion
battery,
which
plays
an
important
part
in
renewable
energy
industry.
Global
sources
are
ores
and
brine,
59%
distributed
saline
brine.
However,
significant
brine
have
not
been
fully
utilized.
electrochemical
deintercalation
method
(EDM)
extraction
from
a
promising
technique
because
its
environmental
friendliness,
high
selectivity,
cost‐effectiveness.
Nevertheless,
application
EDM
greatly
limited
by
easy
dissolution
electrode
materials
like
LiMn
2
O
4
cost
mass
production.
Also,
there
few
existing
review
articles
on
extraction.
To
address
this
gap,
provides
comprehensive
overview
current
methods
systematically
summarizes
technical
status
EDM,
pays
special
attention
preparation
modification
materials.
This
gives
new
insight
into
mechanism
design
strategy
evaluation
EDM.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
121(23)
Published: May 30, 2024
Lithium
is
an
emerging
strategic
resource
for
modern
energy
transformation
toward
electrification
and
decarbonization.
However,
current
mainstream
direct
lithium
extraction
technology
via
adsorption
suffers
from
sluggish
kinetics
intensive
water
usage,
especially
in
arid/semiarid
cold
salt-lake
regions
(natural
land
brines).
Herein,
efficient
proof-of-concept
integrated
solar
microevaporator
system
developed
to
realize
synergetic
solar-enhanced
recovery
footprint
management
hypersaline
brines.
The
98%
harvesting
efficiency
of
the
system,
elevating
its
local
temperature,
greatly
promotes
endothermic
Li
+
process
steam
generation.
Benefiting
photothermal
effect,
enhanced
flux,
enriched
supply
nanoconfined
space,
a
double-enhanced
capacity
was
delivered
(increase
12.4
28.7
mg
g
−1
)
under
one
sun,
rate
(saturated
within
6
h)
also
reached
twice
that
at
280
K
(salt-lake
temperature).
Additionally,
self-assembly
rotation
feature
endows
with
distinct
self-cleaning
desalination
ability,
achieving
near
100%
brines
further
self-sufficient
elution.
Outdoor
comprehensive
solar-powered
experiment
verified
feasibility
basically
stable
ability
(>8
directly
natural
self-sustaining
recycling
elution
(440
m
3
per
ton
2
CO
).
This
work
offers
solution
sustainable
zero
water/carbon
consumption
carbon
neutrality.
Nature Water,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
3(3), P. 319 - 333
Published: March 12, 2025
Abstract
Membrane-based
separation
processes
hold
great
promise
for
sustainable
extraction
of
lithium
from
brines
the
rapidly
expanding
electric
vehicle
industry
and
renewable
energy
storage.
However,
it
remains
challenging
to
develop
high-selectivity
membranes
that
can
be
upscaled
industrial
processes.
Here
we
report
solution-processable
polymer
with
subnanometre
pores
excellent
ion
selectivity
in
electrodialysis
extraction.
Polymers
intrinsic
microporosity
incorporated
hydrophilic
functional
groups
enable
fast
transport
monovalent
alkali
cations
(Li
+
,
Na
K
)
while
rejecting
relatively
larger
divalent
ions
such
as
Mg
2+
.
The
surpasses
performance
most
existing
membrane
materials.
Furthermore,
were
scaled
up
integrated
into
an
stack,
demonstrating
simulated
salt-lake
brines.
This
work
will
inspire
development
selective
a
wide
range
critical
resource
recovery
global
circular
economy.
Journal of The Electrochemical Society,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
172(2), P. 023501 - 023501
Published: Jan. 22, 2025
Lithium
(Li)
is
considered
a
critical
material
because
of
growing
Li-ion
battery
demand
and
90%
global
production
occurring
in
Australia,
Chile,
China.
(Li
+
)
extraction
from
brine
uses
large
areas
for
evaporation
precipitation.
Membrane
separation
can
extract
lithium
with
minimal
water
losses.
However,
the
effect
composition
on
Li
transport
across
different
commercial
membranes
electrodialysis
(ED)
separations
remains
pressing
knowledge
gap.
This
study
aimed
to
evaluate
co-occurring
ion
effects
(Na
,
Mg
2+
Ca
ED
using
membranes.
performance
was
evaluated
varying
current
densities
binary
solutions
single-stack
cell
comprised
standard
anion
exchange
membrane
either
cation
(CEM),
monovalent-selective
CEM,
or
nanofiltration
(NF)
membrane.
selectivities
were
highest
followed
by
NF
then
CEM.
Monovalent
contaminants
remain
an
extant
challenge
all
tested.
Selectivity
factors
over
divalent
cations
reached
6.8
(S
Li/Mg
56.7
Li/Ca
at
2.8
mA
cm
−2
These
achieved
without
precipitation/fouling;
/Mg
/Ca
ratios
increased
0.5
feed
(for
both
ions)
5.0
3.5
permeate.
Sustainable Horizons,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
9, P. 100093 - 100093
Published: Feb. 19, 2024
The
escalating
demand
for
lithium
in
electrochemical
energy
advice
has
stimulated
growing
focus
on
extracting
Li
from
alternative
sources
such
as
brines.
Lithium
ion-sieves
(LISs),
comprising
manganese-based
and
titanium-based
LISs,
emerging
a
promising
recovery
technique,
attributed
to
their
exceptional
capacity
uptake,
selectivity,
recyclability.
However,
practical
implementation
faces
two
critical
challenges:
the
potential
dissolution
of
specific
ions
(e.g.,
Mn3+
Ti4+)
severe
particle
aggregation
during
synthesis.
In
addition,
coexisting
like
Mg2+
hinder
selective
adsorption
Li+
due
similar
chemical
properties.
To
meet
these
challenges,
heteroatom
doping
is
supposed
enhance
performance
LISs
diverse
doped
have
been
developed
recently.
Herein,
this
comprehensive
review
begins
by
delving
into
fundamental
aspects
including
LIS
effect
types
LISs.
Subsequently,
behavior
application
modified
were
discussed.
Finally,
prospects
research
directions
solidify
role
pioneering
environmentally
friendly
economically
viable
methods
are
outlined.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
34(37)
Published: April 2, 2024
Abstract
Solar‐driven
interfacial
evaporation
(SIE)
of
brine
may
solve
the
fresh
water
shortage
issue
but
suffers
from
salt‐fouling.
Meanwhile,
adsorption
can
extract
valuable
lithium
(Li)
is
hampered
by
low
capacity/rate,
additional
energy
input
and
selectivity,
etc.
Here,
as
a
proof‐of‐concept,
design
separated
solar
evaporator
(S‐evaporator)
reported
for
simultaneously
efficient
collection
Li
+
selective
SIE
brine,
accomplishing
their
complementation
using
only
sunlight.
The
S‐evaporator
consists
tilted
n‐shaped
H
2
TiO
3
‐modified
fabric
photothermal
sheet
on
it.
superhydrophilic
transports
to
provides
affluent
sites
adsorption.
promotes
enhances
significantly
increasing
fabric's
temperature.
Consequently,
simultaneous
are
realized
S‐evaporator.
Under
1
kW
m
−2
illumination,
shows
long‐term
stable
rate
(1.51
kg
h
−1
)
20
wt%
high
capacity
(20.09
mg
g
),
good
selectivity
real
cycle
stability.
has
great
application
potential
efficiently
extracting
demonstrated
large
setup
in
outdoor
conditions.
Macromolecules,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
57(5), P. 2468 - 2481
Published: Feb. 28, 2024
Membranes
capable
of
differentiating
between
similarly
charged
ions
could
enable
applications
such
as
resource
recovery
from
naturally
occurring
waters
and
industrial
wastewaters.
Understanding
the
factors
that
govern
ion
transport
in
these
materials
is
crucial
for
designing
membranes.
This
study
investigates
impact
membrane
water
content
on
diffusion
monovalent
cations
negatively
membranes
by
using
absolute
reaction
rate
theory.
The
activation
energy
entropy
both
increase
substantially
when
most
structurally
bound.
predicted
a
model
incorporating
Coulombic
interactions
fixed
charges
counter-ions.
low
increases
with
increasing
size
hydrated
cations,
suggesting
possible
rearrangement
primary
hydration
shells
strongly
Li+
Na+,
during
diffusion.
These
results
suggest
polymer
tortuosity,
interactions,
structure
cation
