Innovative lithium recovery technique from seawater by using world-first dialysis with a lithium ionic superconductor

Desalination, Volume 359, 2015, Pages 59-63.

Tsuyoshi Hoshino.

Breeding Functional Materials Development Group, Department of Blanket Systems Research, Rokkasho Fusion Institute, Sector of Fusion Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2-166 Obuch, Omotedate, Rokkasho-mura, Kamikita-gun, Aomori 039-3212, Japan.

Abstract

Lithium (Li) procurement is becoming a matter of importance worldwide. Herein, I propose a method for recovering Li from seawater by using world-first dialysis, wherein Li only permeates from the negative electrode side to the positive electrode side through a Li ionic superconductor functioning as a Li separation membrane (LISM). Measurements of the Li ion concentration at the positive electrode side as a function of dialysis duration showed that the Li recovery ratio increased to approximately 7% after 72 h with no applied electric voltage. Moreover, other ions in the seawater did not permeate the LISM. With both ends of the LISM bound with a negative and positive electrode, hydrated Li ion was transformed to Li ion only because Li ion can permeate through the LISM. This new recovery method shows good energy efficiency and is easily scalable and is thus suitable for the industrialised mass production of Li in South American countries, which have briny water containing Li.

Go To Journal

Figure Legend

This innovative technique is suitable for the mass production of Li from seawater as well as for the recycling of used Li-ion batteries. In this World-First Dialysis, Li separation process generates electricity, requiring no external power source (Zero Emission).