Breakthrough Membrane Technology Enables Cleaner Lithium Extraction from Saltwater

Researchers develop a novel polymer membrane to extract high-purity lithium from brines, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mining methods.

• The innovative membrane uses electrodialysis to selectively extract lithium ions from saltwater, leaving other metals behind.
• This method produces battery-grade lithium carbonate while minimizing environmental harm compared to conventional lithium mining.
• The membrane relies on polymers of intrinsic microporosity with nanoscale channels designed for high lithium selectivity.
• Researchers emphasize the scalability of the technology, as the membranes can be manufactured using established industrial techniques.
• The technology has broader applications, including critical metal recovery from wastewater and advancing circular economy initiatives.

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