Electrochemical methods for sustainable recovery of lithium from natural brines and battery recycling

Abstract

This short review covers the recent developments in electrochemical methods for the extraction of lithium from natural brines, seawater, and battery recycling electrolytes by ion-pumping mixing entropy cells and electrodialysis. Lithium extraction by ion pumping takes advantage of the selective intercalation in lithium battery cathode materials and the concentration difference between the lithium source and the recovery electrolyte. Electrodialysis has attracted much interest in particular for large Mg/Li ratios in some natural brines.