A three-electrode dual-power-supply electrochemical pumping system for ultrafast high-energy-efficiency lithium extraction and recovery

Abstract

Abstract The demand for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) for use in electric vehicles, which is key to realizing a decarbonized society, is accelerating. However, the supply of Li resources has recently become a major issue, thereby necessitating the development of economical and sustainable brine/seawater-based Li extraction technologies. Additionally, resource recovery technologies for recycling Li from spent LIBs must be urgently developed to comply with the imminent mandatory requirements being considered by the European Union for selling electric vehicles. This paper presents an innovative electrochemical pumping technology based on a new cell structure for Li extraction/recovery. Using this system, high-purity Li can be collected with high energy efficiency at least 464 times faster than that via conventional electrochemical pumping, even with a commercially available Li-ion electrolyte plate. In principle, the Li collection rate of this new system can be limitlessly increased. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the excellent performance have been elucidated.