Sustainable lithium extraction and magnesium hydroxide co-production from salt-lake brines

Ming Yong, Meng Tang, Liangliang Sun, Fei Xiong, Lei Xie, Gaofeng Zeng, Xiaoqiong Ren, Ke Wang, Yuan Cheng, Zhikao Li (), Enchao Li (), Xiwang Zhang () and Huanting Wang
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Ming Yong: Monash University
Meng Tang: Monash University
Liangliang Sun: Monash University
Fei Xiong: Baowu Group Environmental Resources Technology Co. Ltd.
Lei Xie: Central South University
Gaofeng Zeng: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Xiaoqiong Ren: Suzhou Industrial Park Monash Research Institute of Science and Technology
Ke Wang: Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications
Yuan Cheng: Suzhou Industrial Park Monash Research Institute of Science and Technology
Zhikao Li: Monash University
Enchao Li: Baowu Group Environmental Resources Technology Co. Ltd.
Xiwang Zhang: The University of Queensland
Huanting Wang: Monash University

Nature Sustainability, 2024, vol. 7, issue 12, 1662-1671

Abstract: Abstract In recent years, the demand for lithium (Li) has been on the rise as Li-ion batteries are playing an increasingly important role in powering the global transition to a low-carbon society. In contrast to the predominant production of lithium from hard rock, lithium extraction from brine sources has proven more economical and sustainable. However, substantial challenges remain, including the low efficiency of the extraction process, especially for brines of high salinity, complex composition and poor selectivity against magnesium, the major competing species. Here we show 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+, our process achieves ultrahigh Mg2+ rejection of 99.85%, ultrafast Li+ flux of ~4.34 mol m−2 h−1 and unprecedented Li+/Mg2+ separation factor (~679) under industrial conditions (127.06 g l−1). More importantly, the Li+ recovery rate reaches 89.90% through a two-stage filtration process, while Mg2+ waste is converted to nanostructured Mg(OH)2 and 98.87% of EDTA4− can be regenerated. Our scalable process minimizes environmental impact while maximizing resource utilization, thereby catalysing the shift toward a more sustainable future.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01435-2

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