Study on extraction of lithium from salt lake brine by membrane electrolysis

Extraction of lithium from brine is becoming a focus of importance worldwide. Lithium was extracted from brine by membrane electrolysis in this paper, and the influences of operating parameters on Li+ exchange capacity and stability of electrode are investigated. Various parameters including initial lithium concentration of anolyte, anode–cathode distance, electrolyte temperature, surface density of active substrate and electrolysis time are optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the electrode exhibits a remarkable Li+ exchange capacity of 38.9 mg/g and the pH value of anolyte is less than 8. The results are beneficial for the extraction of lithium from brine by membrane electrolysis.