Cost-effective Lithium Recovery from Spent Lithium Batteries

With the growing demand for lithium driven by the electric vehicle market and renewable energy storage systems, finding sustainable and economically viable extraction methods has become crucial. The novel graphene oxide (GO)-oriented nanofiltration (NF) membrane, which offers high Li+/Mg2+ selectivity, promises a cost-effective solution for recovering lithium from spent batteries. This innovative approach aligns with the industry's need for environmentally friendly and efficient technologies to meet the rising demand for lithium resources.

HTF is at the forefront of developing a membrane-intensified process using GO-oriented NF membranes to selectively extract lithium from the leaching solutions of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This process includes mechanical pre-treatment and acid leaching of cathode materials, producing a low-pH solution containing metal ions such as Li+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Mg2+. However, efficiently separating these valuable metals from the leaching solution remains a significant challenge.

To address this, HTF is creating high Li+/Mg2+ selectivity NF/GO membranes to generate a solution rich in lithium. This is then followed by alkaline precipitation to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.