Electrochemical lithium extraction from high Mg/Li brine using LiMn2O4-Zn mixed-Ion battery

In China, 80 % of lithium resources are in the salt lakes of the Tibetan Plateau, although the Mg 2+ /Li + ratios in them are too high, limiting the development of China’s lithium extraction industry from the salt lakes. This study investigates the potential of the LiMn 2 O 4 -Zn cell system for lithium extraction from brines with high Mg 2+ /Li + ratios. The system demonstrates excellent selectivity for Li + and efficiently extracts Li + even in brines with Mg 2+ /Li + ratios as high as 100:1 (wt%). The system operates stably at various brine concentrations, particularly in high-salinity environments. The study also investigates the kinetic performance of the LMO-Zn system, revealing optimal performance at high Li + concentrations and moderate current densities. The LiMn 2 O 4 -Zn cell system presents a promising approach for lithium extraction from brines, offering high selectivity, reversibility, and adaptability.