Modeling and performance predictions of electrochemical lithium extraction: Impact of leakage current

A comprehensive and practical model is important to the emerging electrochemical lithium extraction technology . In this study, an electrochemical model including leakage current for a LiMn 2 O 4 /Ag lithium extraction system is developed. With the consideration of leakage current, the Coulombic efficiency is below unity during charging, and the amount of lithium insertion during discharging increases, which make the model more practical and functional. The practicability of the model is validated by employing pulse and constant current profiles in charge/discharge process. It is found that the pulse current profile exhibits better electrochemical performance because of the lower overpotential, which shows higher Coulombic efficiency during charging and more lithium insertion during discharging. These simulation results fit well with experiment, demonstrating that the model with leakage current can predict the performance of different operation modes. This work may offer valuable consultation and guidance for future implementations of electrochemical lithium extraction from seawater and brine.