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Lithium extraction by extractant confined in Pickering emulsion

Author

Listed:
  • Enze Li

    (Shanxi University)

  • Zelong Li

    (Shanxi University)

  • Qiancheng Xia

    (Nanjing University)

  • Feiyu Zhang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Zhangqi Liang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Zhaozan Xu

    (Shanxi University)

  • Guandao Gao

    (Nanjing University)

  • Hu Li

    (LTD)

  • Fangqin Cheng

    (Shanxi University)

Abstract

The global energy transformation towards electrification and decarbonization urgently requires a sustainable lithium supply. However, current solvent extraction technology suffers from extractant dissolution and low efficiency. Herein, we develop an oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsion with high stability using amphipathic SiO2 nanoparticles to confine tributyl phosphate (TBP) extractant within the oil phase for enhancing lithium extraction from salt-lake brine. Resultantly, the Pickering emulsion achieves a lithium recovery of 91.7% with Li-Mg separation factor (βLiMg) of 101.9 after only three-stage extraction and Li+ mass transfer rate (k) of 4.57 × 10−8 m/s, greatly outperforming the traditional TBP system (52.8% recovery, βLiMg = 12, k = 7.50 × 10−9 m/s). We propose that the tiny gaps between SiO2 particles serve as Li+ transport channels, in which the interfacial electric field generated by surface charges of SiO2 particles and the confinement effect within these gaps synergistically enhance Li+ dehydration and diffusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Enze Li & Zelong Li & Qiancheng Xia & Feiyu Zhang & Zhangqi Liang & Zhaozan Xu & Guandao Gao & Hu Li & Fangqin Cheng, 2025. "Lithium extraction by extractant confined in Pickering emulsion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62927-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62927-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sixie Yang & Yigang Wang & Hui Pan & Ping He & Haoshen Zhou, 2024. "Lithium extraction from low-quality brines," Nature, Nature, vol. 636(8042), pages 309-321, December.
    2. Lixue Shi & R. Allen LaCour & Naixin Qian & Joseph P. Heindel & Xiaoqi Lang & Ruoqi Zhao & Teresa Head-Gordon & Wei Min, 2025. "Water structure and electric fields at the interface of oil droplets," Nature, Nature, vol. 640(8057), pages 87-93, April.
    3. Hanrui Zhang & Ying Han & Jianwei Lai & Joseph Wolf & Zhen Lei & Yang Yang & Feifei Shi, 2024. "Direct extraction of lithium from ores by electrochemical leaching," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Jialiang Lang & Yang Jin & Kai Liu & Yuanzheng Long & Haitian Zhang & Longhao Qi & Hui Wu & Yi Cui, 2020. "High-purity electrolytic lithium obtained from low-purity sources using solid electrolyte," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(5), pages 386-390, May.
    5. Shenxiang Zhang & Xian Wei & Xue Cao & Meiwen Peng & Min Wang & Lin Jiang & Jian Jin, 2024. "Solar-driven membrane separation for direct lithium extraction from artificial salt-lake brine," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    6. Gavin Harper & Roberto Sommerville & Emma Kendrick & Laura Driscoll & Peter Slater & Rustam Stolkin & Allan Walton & Paul Christensen & Oliver Heidrich & Simon Lambert & Andrew Abbott & Karl Ryder & L, 2019. "Recycling lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7781), pages 75-86, November.
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