Solution-processable polymer membranes with hydrophilic subnanometre pores for sustainable lithium extraction

Yang, Dingchang; Yang, Yijie; Wong, Toby; Iguodala, Sunshine; Wang, Anqi; Lovell, Louie; Foglia, Fabrizia; Fouquet, Peter; Breakwell, Charlotte; Fan, Zhiyu; Wang, Yanlin; Britton, Melanie M.; Williams, Daryl R.; Shah, Nilay; Xu, Tongwen; McKeown, Neil B.; Titirici, Maria‐Magdalena; Jelfs, Kim E.; Song, Qilei

doi:10.1038/s44221-025-00398-8

articleNature WaterMar 12, 2025HYBRID OA

Solution-processable polymer membranes with hydrophilic subnanometre pores for sustainable lithium extraction

DYDingchang Yang YYYijie Yang TWToby Wong SISunshine Iguodala AWAnqi Wang

Imperial College London · University of Birmingham · +4 more institutions

PubMed

Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

Abstract Membrane-based separation processes hold great promise for sustainable extraction of lithium from brines for the rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry and renewable energy storage. However, it remains challenging to develop high-selectivity membranes that can be upscaled for industrial processes. Here we report solution-processable polymer membranes with subnanometre pores with excellent ion separation selectivity in electrodialysis processes for lithium extraction. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity incorporated with hydrophilic functional groups enable fast transport of monovalent alkali cations (Li + , Na + and K + ) while rejecting relatively larger divalent ions such as Mg 2+ . The polymer…

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Topics & keywords

Topics

Keywords

Membrane
Electrodialysis
Extraction (chemistry)
Polymer
Chemical engineering
Materials science
Selectivity
Desalination

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