Photoelectrochemical lithium extraction

Hao Huang; Zhen Li; Zhongxiao Li; Bilawal Khan; Kuo-Wei Huang; Zhiping Lai; Jr Hau He

doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108683

Photoelectrochemical lithium extraction

Hao Huang, Zhen Li, Zhongxiao Li, Bilawal Khan, Kuo-Wei Huang, Zhiping Lai, Jr Hau He

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The direct conversion of solar energy to valuable chemicals by mimicking the photosynthesis of natural leaves, known as artificial leaves, is promising for utilizing renewable energy. Herein, we demonstrate the successful extraction of lithium (Li) from natural brine using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) system, combined with a Li-selective membrane process. A Si photoelectrode, with three p–n junctions connected in series (3S-Si), was seamlessly embedded into an H-cell with two compartments separated by a Li1+xAlxGe2−x(PO4)3 membrane. The unassisted PEC Li extraction was performed under AM 1.5 G illumination without other external energy input. The Li concentration in the enriched solution reached 2924.96 ppm with 99.4 % atomic selectivity after two PEC stages, and the solar-to-Li extraction efficiency reached 0.355 %. Finally, we obtained the valuable product Li2CO3 with 99.93 % purity. Economic analysis revealed that this solar-driven Li extraction system was more profitable than the PEC systems for H2 generation, N2 and CO2 reduction. Our study offers a promising approach for Li mining using sustainable energy and improves the economic viability of Li extraction from natural brine.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	108683
Journal	Nano Energy
Volume	115
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108683
State	Published - Jul 26 2023

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2023-08-08
Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): BAS/1/1375-01-01, CRG2019-4093, IED OSR-72019-4208, OSR-CARF/CCF-3079, URF/1/4713-01
Acknowledgements: This work was financially supported by the City University of Hong Kong (9380107), the Baseline Funds (BAS/1/1375-01-01), the Competitive Research Fund under Award No. URF/1/4713-01 from KAUST. S.D.W. the KAUST Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) under Award Nos. OSR-CARF/CCF-3079, IED OSR-72019-4208 and CRG2019-4093.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
General Materials Science
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108683

https://repository.kaust.edu.sa/bitstream/10754/690155/1/SSRN-id4355004.pdf

Cite this

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title = "Photoelectrochemical lithium extraction",

abstract = "The direct conversion of solar energy to valuable chemicals by mimicking the photosynthesis of natural leaves, known as artificial leaves, is promising for utilizing renewable energy. Herein, we demonstrate the successful extraction of lithium (Li) from natural brine using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) system, combined with a Li-selective membrane process. A Si photoelectrode, with three p–n junctions connected in series (3S-Si), was seamlessly embedded into an H-cell with two compartments separated by a Li1+xAlxGe2−x(PO4)3 membrane. The unassisted PEC Li extraction was performed under AM 1.5 G illumination without other external energy input. The Li concentration in the enriched solution reached 2924.96 ppm with 99.4 % atomic selectivity after two PEC stages, and the solar-to-Li extraction efficiency reached 0.355 %. Finally, we obtained the valuable product Li2CO3 with 99.93 % purity. Economic analysis revealed that this solar-driven Li extraction system was more profitable than the PEC systems for H2 generation, N2 and CO2 reduction. Our study offers a promising approach for Li mining using sustainable energy and improves the economic viability of Li extraction from natural brine.",

author = "Hao Huang and Zhen Li and Zhongxiao Li and Bilawal Khan and Kuo-Wei Huang and Zhiping Lai and He, {Jr Hau}",

note = "KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2023-08-08 Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): BAS/1/1375-01-01, CRG2019-4093, IED OSR-72019-4208, OSR-CARF/CCF-3079, URF/1/4713-01 Acknowledgements: This work was financially supported by the City University of Hong Kong (9380107), the Baseline Funds (BAS/1/1375-01-01), the Competitive Research Fund under Award No. URF/1/4713-01 from KAUST. S.D.W. the KAUST Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) under Award Nos. OSR-CARF/CCF-3079, IED OSR-72019-4208 and CRG2019-4093.",

year = "2023",

month = jul,

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doi = "10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108683",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "115",

pages = "108683",

journal = "Nano Energy",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Photoelectrochemical lithium extraction

AU - Huang, Hao

AU - Li, Zhen

AU - Li, Zhongxiao

AU - Khan, Bilawal

AU - Huang, Kuo-Wei

AU - Lai, Zhiping

AU - He, Jr Hau

N1 - KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2023-08-08 Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): BAS/1/1375-01-01, CRG2019-4093, IED OSR-72019-4208, OSR-CARF/CCF-3079, URF/1/4713-01 Acknowledgements: This work was financially supported by the City University of Hong Kong (9380107), the Baseline Funds (BAS/1/1375-01-01), the Competitive Research Fund under Award No. URF/1/4713-01 from KAUST. S.D.W. the KAUST Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) under Award Nos. OSR-CARF/CCF-3079, IED OSR-72019-4208 and CRG2019-4093.

PY - 2023/7/26

Y1 - 2023/7/26

N2 - The direct conversion of solar energy to valuable chemicals by mimicking the photosynthesis of natural leaves, known as artificial leaves, is promising for utilizing renewable energy. Herein, we demonstrate the successful extraction of lithium (Li) from natural brine using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) system, combined with a Li-selective membrane process. A Si photoelectrode, with three p–n junctions connected in series (3S-Si), was seamlessly embedded into an H-cell with two compartments separated by a Li1+xAlxGe2−x(PO4)3 membrane. The unassisted PEC Li extraction was performed under AM 1.5 G illumination without other external energy input. The Li concentration in the enriched solution reached 2924.96 ppm with 99.4 % atomic selectivity after two PEC stages, and the solar-to-Li extraction efficiency reached 0.355 %. Finally, we obtained the valuable product Li2CO3 with 99.93 % purity. Economic analysis revealed that this solar-driven Li extraction system was more profitable than the PEC systems for H2 generation, N2 and CO2 reduction. Our study offers a promising approach for Li mining using sustainable energy and improves the economic viability of Li extraction from natural brine.

AB - The direct conversion of solar energy to valuable chemicals by mimicking the photosynthesis of natural leaves, known as artificial leaves, is promising for utilizing renewable energy. Herein, we demonstrate the successful extraction of lithium (Li) from natural brine using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) system, combined with a Li-selective membrane process. A Si photoelectrode, with three p–n junctions connected in series (3S-Si), was seamlessly embedded into an H-cell with two compartments separated by a Li1+xAlxGe2−x(PO4)3 membrane. The unassisted PEC Li extraction was performed under AM 1.5 G illumination without other external energy input. The Li concentration in the enriched solution reached 2924.96 ppm with 99.4 % atomic selectivity after two PEC stages, and the solar-to-Li extraction efficiency reached 0.355 %. Finally, we obtained the valuable product Li2CO3 with 99.93 % purity. Economic analysis revealed that this solar-driven Li extraction system was more profitable than the PEC systems for H2 generation, N2 and CO2 reduction. Our study offers a promising approach for Li mining using sustainable energy and improves the economic viability of Li extraction from natural brine.

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UR - https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2211285523005207

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85165963799&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108683

DO - 10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108683

M3 - Article

SN - 2211-2855

VL - 115

SP - 108683

JO - Nano Energy

JF - Nano Energy

ER -

Photoelectrochemical lithium extraction

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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