Lithium‐Ion Batteries: New Insights into the Application of Lithium‐Ion Battery Materials: Selective Extraction of Lithium from Brines via a Rocking‐Chair Lithium‐Ion Battery System (Global Challenges 2/2018)

In order to meet the global demand for lithium-ion batteries, salt lakes have been targeted as a source of lithium. However, extracting lithium from brine that contains a high Mg/Li ratio is a challenge due to the similar chemical properties of Mg2+ and Li+. In article number 1700079 by Zhongwei Zhao and co-workers, a novel electrochemical cell is used to extract lithium from brine with high selectivity: LiFePO4 (anode) | NaCl solution | anion exchange membrane | brine |FePO4 (cathode). The system demonstrates good cycling performance, effective lithium enrichment, low cost, and use of environmentally friendly materials, making it a practical means to address the issue of lithium extraction.