Repurposing solid-state electrolytes
The team repurposed solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) as membranes for aqueous lithium extraction. SSEs are materials typically used in solid-state batteries.
The unique structure of SSEs, originally designed for rapid lithium ion conduction in the absence of liquids or other ions, proved remarkably effective at separating lithium from other ions and water in mixtures.
“The challenge is not just about increasing lithium production but about doing so in a way that is both sustainable and economically viable,” stated Menachem Elimelech, the study‘s corresponding author.