Authors
Sixie Yang, Bo Chang, Chang Wang, Yigang Wang, Zhang Wen, Yiwen Liu, Haoshen Zhou, Ping He
Published in
Nature communications. Jul 06, 2026. Epub Jul 06, 2026.
Abstract
The global shift to renewable energy has intensified demand for lithium-ion batteries. Conventional lithium sources and extraction methods-such as brine evaporation and ore roasting-are time- and resource-intensive, geographically constrained, and environmentally damaging, underscoring the need for more sustainable resources and extraction strategies. Here we report an electrodialysis-based approach for direct lithium carbonate extraction from seawater, using ambient carbon dioxide as the carbon source. The method integrates a solid-state lithium-conducting membrane with Li-air chemistry, enabling lithium enrichment and carbonate formation in a single step without added precipitants. The Li-air configuration imparts intrinsic ion selectivity via thermodynamically driven displacement reactions. Experimental results confirm the production of lithium carbonate (93.8% purity) with an applied voltage below 2 V, while reducing chemical input and energy consumption compared to conventional processes. This work has the potential to provide a low-impact route for accessing lithium resources and contributes to the sustainability of future battery supply chains.
PMID:
42409809
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Jul 2026.
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