Cloud Hosting

Researchers have optimized a new method for extracting lithium from widespread sources such as seawater, groundwater, and flowback water (a byproduct of fracking and offshore drilling).

Developed by researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME), the method shows how certain particles of iron phosphate can most efficiently pull lithium out of dilute liquids.

The new method is expected to hasten an era of faster, greener lithium extraction.

Our method allows the efficient extraction of the mineral from very dilute liquids, which can greatly broaden the potential sources of lithium, said Chong Liu, Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering.

Right now there is a gap between the demand for lithium and the production. Our method allows the efficient extraction of the mineral from very dilute liquids, which can greatly broaden the potential sources of lithium.

The method isolates lithium based on its electrochemical properties, using crystal lattices of olivine iron phosphate.

Because of its size, charge and reactivity, lithium is drawn into the spaces in the olivine iron phosphate columns like water being soaked into the holes in a sponge. But, if the column is designed perfectly, sodium ions, also present in briny liquids, are left out or enter the iron phosphate at a much lower level, according to the study.

Researchers tested how variation in olivine iron phosphate particles impacted their ability to selectively isolate lithium over sodium.

When you produce iron phosphate, you can get particles that are drastically different sizes and shapes, said PhD student and first author Gangbin Yan.

In order to figure out the best synthesis method, we need to know which of those particles are most efficient at selecting lithium over sodium.

The study details how researchers synthesized olivine iron phosphate particles using diverse methods, resulting in particle sizes ranging from 20 to 6,000 nanometers. These particles were then grouped by size and used to construct electrodes for extracting lithium from a weak solution, as reported by Phys.org.

Researchers observed that overly large or small iron phosphate particles tended to allow more sodium into their structures, leading to less pure lithium extractions.

It turned out that there was this sweet spot in the middle where both the kinetics and the thermodynamics favor lithium over sodium, said Liu.

We have to keep this desired particle size in mind as we pick synthesis methods to scale up But if we can do this, we think we can develop a method that reduces the environmental impact of lithium production and secures the lithium supply in this country.

Amid a rising demand for electric vehicles, the demand for lithium the mineral required for lithium-ion batteries has also soared. However, current methods of extracting lithium from rock ores or brines are slow and come with high energy demands and environmental costs. In contrast, the new method is environment-friendly and faster than other current methods.

The study was published in the journal Nature on June 7.

NEWSLETTER

Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.

Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.

Continued here:

New method extracts lithium from seawater, to boost battery production - Interesting Engineering