Lithium Extraction by Electrodialysis: Effect of Co-Occurring Ions for Application in Brine Processing

Autor(es)

Botelho Junior, Amilton Barbosa ; Abels, Kristen ; Espinosa, Denise Crocce Romano ; Tarpeh, William A.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of the Electrochemical Society; v. 172, n. 2, p. 10-pg., 2025-02-01.

Resumo

Lithium (Li) is considered a critical material because of growing Li-ion battery demand and 90% of global production occurring in Australia, Chile, and China. Li-ion (Li+) extraction from brine uses large areas for evaporation and precipitation. Membrane separation can extract lithium with minimal water losses. However, the effect of brine composition on Li+ transport across different commercial membranes in electrodialysis (ED) separations remains a pressing knowledge gap. This study aimed to evaluate co-occurring ion effects (Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+) on ED Li+ extraction using different commercial membranes. Li+ extraction performance was evaluated for varying current densities in binary solutions using a single-stack ED cell comprised of a standard anion exchange membrane and either a standard cation exchange (CEM), monovalent-selective CEM, or nanofiltration (NF) membrane. Li+ selectivities were highest for the monovalent-selective CEM, followed by NF and then standard CEM. Monovalent contaminants remain an extant challenge for Li+ extraction using all membranes tested. Selectivity factors for Li+ over divalent cations reached 6.8 (S-Li/Mg) and 56.7 (S-Li/Ca) at 2.8 mA cm(-2) for the monovalent-selective CEM. These divalent separation factors were achieved without Ca precipitation/fouling; Li+/Mg2+ and Li+/Ca2+ ratios increased from 0.5 in the feed (for both ions) to 5.0 and 3.5 in the permeate. (c) 2025 The Electrochemical Society ("ECS"). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited. All rights, including fortext and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 23/01032-5 - Separação de metais críticos através de membranas suportadas com líquidos: avaliação da interação sinérgica entre organofosforados e membranas
• Beneficiário: Amilton Barbosa Botelho Junior
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 19/11866-5 - Desenvolvimento de processos inovadores para recuperação de metais críticos
• Beneficiário: Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 21/14842-0 - Elucidação do mecanismo de complexação de organometálicos entre extratantes orgânicos e elementos terras raras
• Beneficiário: Amilton Barbosa Botelho Junior
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado