IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/nat/natcom/v16y2025i1d10.1038_s41467-025-63660-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A rationally designed scalable thin film nanocomposite cation exchange membrane for precise lithium extraction

Author

Listed:
  • Yuren Feng

    (Rice University
    Rice University
    Columbia University)

  • Yifan Zhu

    (Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Weiqiang Chen

    (Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Xiaochuan Huang

    (Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Xintong Weng

    (Rice University)

  • Matthew D. Meyer

    (Rice University)

  • Tsai-Hsuan Chen

    (National Taiwan University)

  • Yiming Liu

    (Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Ze He

    (Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Chia-Hung Hou

    (National Taiwan University)

  • Kuichang Zuo

    (Peking University)

  • Ngai Yin Yip

    (Columbia University
    Columbia University)

  • Kai Gong

    (Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Jun Lou

    (Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Qilin Li

    (Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University)

Abstract

Precise separation of ions of the same polarity and similar valence and size remains a critical need in resource recovery from waste streams. Here, we report the rational design and scalable fabrication of a thin film nanocomposite (TFN) cation exchange membrane to achieve precise selectivity for lithium over competing cations. The precise selectivity is realized by an ultrathin polyamide (PA) layer incorporated with amine functionalized β-monoclinic lithium titanium oxide (N-LTO) nanoparticles using a scalable interfacial polymerization process that allows high N-LTO loading while minimizing interfacial defects. The TFN membrane demonstrates superior Li+ permeability, with Li+/Ca2+ and Li+/Na+ selectivity reaching 173.90 and 13.58, respectively. The Li+/Na+ selectivity is attributed to the Li+-exclusive transport pathway in the layered structure of the N-LTO, while size exclusion by the highly cross-linked N-LTO-PA also contrubutes to the Li+/Ca2+ selectivity. Molecular dynamics simulation shows that the electrical field drives Li+ dehydration and accelerates the migration of the dehydrated Li+ while Na+ is blocked due to its larger size than the Li+ cavity. The high Li+ selectivity and permeability enable energy-efficient, precise, and chemical-free lithium extraction using the electrodialysis process. The TFN membrane architecture also allows simple and scalable fabrication of a multi-functional polymer-inorganic nanocomposite membrane.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuren Feng & Yifan Zhu & Weiqiang Chen & Xiaochuan Huang & Xintong Weng & Matthew D. Meyer & Tsai-Hsuan Chen & Yiming Liu & Ze He & Chia-Hung Hou & Kuichang Zuo & Ngai Yin Yip & Kai Gong & Jun Lou & Q, 2025. "A rationally designed scalable thin film nanocomposite cation exchange membrane for precise lithium extraction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63660-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63660-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63660-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1038/s41467-025-63660-3?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Laurence Kavanagh & Jerome Keohane & Guiomar Garcia Cabellos & Andrew Lloyd & John Cleary, 2018. "Global Lithium Sources—Industrial Use and Future in the Electric Vehicle Industry: A Review," Resources, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-29, September.
    2. 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.
    3. Amir Razmjou & Mohsen Asadnia & Ehsan Hosseini & Asghar Habibnejad Korayem & Vicki Chen, 2019. "Design principles of ion selective nanostructured membranes for the extraction of lithium ions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Grosjean, Camille & Miranda, Pamela Herrera & Perrin, Marion & Poggi, Philippe, 2012. "Assessment of world lithium resources and consequences of their geographic distribution on the expected development of the electric vehicle industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 1735-1744.
    5. William T. Stringfellow & Patrick F. Dobson, 2021. "Technology for the Recovery of Lithium from Geothermal Brines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-72, October.
    6. Pengfei Wang & Mao Wang & Feng Liu & Siyuan Ding & Xue Wang & Guanghua Du & Jie Liu & Pavel Apel & Patrick Kluth & Christina Trautmann & Yugang Wang, 2018. "Ultrafast ion sieving using nanoporous polymeric membranes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ewa Knapik & Grzegorz Rotko & Marta Marszałek & Marcin Piotrowski, 2023. "Comparative Study on Lithium Recovery with Ion-Selective Adsorbents and Extractants: Results of Multi-Stage Screening Test with the Use of Brine Simulated Solutions with Increasing Complexity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Lingchen Kong & Gangbin Yan & Kejia Hu & Yongchang Yu & Nicole Conte & Kevin R. Mckenzie Jr & Michael J. Wagner & Stephen G. Boyes & Hanning Chen & Chong Liu & Xitong Liu, 2025. "Electro-driven direct lithium extraction from geothermal brines to generate battery-grade lithium hydroxide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. William T. Stringfellow & Patrick F. Dobson, 2021. "Technology for the Recovery of Lithium from Geothermal Brines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-72, October.
    4. Quan Peng & Ruoyu Wang & Zilin Zhao & Shihong Lin & Ying Liu & Dianyu Dong & Zheng Wang & Yiman He & Yuzhang Zhu & Jian Jin & Lei Jiang, 2024. "Extreme Li-Mg selectivity via precise ion size differentiation of polyamide membrane," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Zorzal, Caroline Belisário & Silva, José Margarida da & Jaques, Daniel Silva & Santos, Rita de Cássia Pedrosa, 2025. "An overview of lithium mining in Brazil: From artisanal extraction to large-scale production," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    6. Rongming Xu & Yuan Kang & Weiming Zhang & Bingcai Pan & Xiwang Zhang, 2023. "Two-dimensional MXene membranes with biomimetic sub-nanochannels for enhanced cation sieving," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. János Szanyi & Ladislaus Rybach & Hawkar A. Abdulhaq, 2023. "Geothermal Energy and Its Potential for Critical Metal Extraction—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-28, October.
    8. Zhang, Xiaojing & Chang, Hsu-Ling & Su, Chi-Wei & Qin, Meng & Umar, Muhammad, 2024. "Exploring the dynamic interaction between geopolitical risks and lithium prices: A time-varying analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    9. Bo Zhang & Feng Wang & Ronggang Wang & Yuhan Shang & Feng Li & Mengjiao Li & Tao Wang, 2025. "Geothermal Lithium Extraction Technology: Research Status and Prospects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-21, June.
    10. Weiwen Xin & Jingru Fu & Yongchao Qian & Lin Fu & Xiang-Yu Kong & Teng Ben & Lei Jiang & Liping Wen, 2022. "Biomimetic KcsA channels with ultra-selective K+ transport for monovalent ion sieving," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    11. Simon, Bálint & Ziemann, Saskia & Weil, Marcel, 2015. "Potential metal requirement of active materials in lithium-ion battery cells of electric vehicles and its impact on reserves: Focus on Europe," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 300-310.
    12. Pranjal Barman & Lachit Dutta & Brian Azzopardi, 2023. "Electric Vehicle Battery Supply Chain and Critical Materials: A Brief Survey of State of the Art," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-23, April.
    13. Jine Wu & Chenyi Liao & Tianyu Li & Jing Zhou & Linjuan Zhang & Jian-Qiang Wang & Guohui Li & Xianfeng Li, 2023. "Metal-coordinated polybenzimidazole membranes with preferential K+ transport," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    14. Gil-Alana, Luis A. & Monge, Manuel, 2019. "Lithium: Production and estimated consumption. Evidence of persistence," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 198-202.
    15. William T. Stringfellow & Mary Kay Camarillo, 2025. "Solid Wastes from Geothermal Energy Production and Implications for Direct Lithium Extraction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    16. 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.
    17. Yawei Gao & Xiao-mao Wang & Shuming Liu, 2025. "Backflow H+ during interfacial polymerization matters to configure spatial charges of polyamide membranes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    18. Furszyfer Del Rio, Dylan D. & Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Foley, Aoife M. & Griffiths, Steve & Bazilian, Morgan & Kim, Jinsoo & Rooney, David, 2022. "Decarbonizing the ceramics industry: A systematic and critical review of policy options, developments and sociotechnical systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    19. Rubio, Francisco & Llopis-Albert, Carlos & Besa, Antonio José, 2023. "Optimal allocation of energy sources in hydrogen production for sustainable deployment of electric vehicles," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    20. Riba, Jordi-Roger & López-Torres, Carlos & Romeral, Luís & Garcia, Antoni, 2016. "Rare-earth-free propulsion motors for electric vehicles: A technology review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 367-379.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63660-3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.nature.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.