Solar Transpiration-Driven Lithium Extraction and Storage

Technical Principle: Inspired by the "selective absorption-storage-release" mechanism of halophytes, they developed the Interface Photothermal Salt Lake Lithium Extraction Device (STLES). By taking advantage of the interfacial photothermal transpiration effect, an ultra-high capillary pressure is generated within the nanoscale channels of the evaporator, driving lithium ions to selectively enter the storage layer from the brine. Finally, the lithium salts enriched in the storage layer are collected through the water circulation system, and the device is regenerated.

Extraction Effect: This platform can efficiently extract lithium from diluted salt lake brine and has demonstrated excellent stability during 528 consecutive hours of operation. The lithium selectivity of a single-stage device is increased by 6 times, and through a multi-stage lithium extraction process, the lithium selectivity can be enhanced by nearly 40 times.

Journal information: Science

Research Team: The team led by Professor Zhu Jia and Academician Chen Jun from Nanjing University, in cooperation with Professor Mi Baoxia from the University of California, Berkeley.