This “molecular sieve” excludes water, larger ions like sodium, and even magnesium ions due to their incompatible charge and size.
While the presence of competing ions did reduce lithium flux by occupying surface sites, the researchers are confident that further material engineering can address this issue.
Broader applications for EVs
This breakthrough could help to secure a stable supply of lithium for the growing electric vehicle market.
“By integrating SSEs into electrodialysis systems, we could enable direct lithium extraction from a range of aqueous sources, reducing the need for large evaporation ponds and chemical-intensive purification steps,” said Patel.