Open AccessHigh Ion‐Selectivity of Garnet Solid Electrolyte Enabling Separation of Metallic Lithium
Author(s) -
Zhang Haitian,
Lang Jialiang,
Liu Kai,
Jin Yang,
Wang Kuangyu,
Wu Yulong,
Shi Siqi,
Wang Li,
Xu Hong,
He Xiangming,
Wu Hui
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
energy and environmental materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2575-0356
DOI - 10.1002/eem2.12425
Subject(s) - alkali metal , lithium (medication) , selectivity , electrolyte , electrochemistry , materials science , ion , inorganic chemistry , metal , ionic bonding , impurity , chemistry , electrode , catalysis , metallurgy , organic chemistry , medicine , endocrinology
Ionic selectivity is of significant importance in both fundamental science and practical applications. For instance, an ion‐selective material allows the passage of a particular kind of ions while blocking the others, which could be used for purification of materials. Herein, the Li‐ion‐selectivity of a garnet‐type solid electrolyte is discussed by comparing the difference of activation energy between different ions migrating in solids. The high ion‐selectivity is confirmed by harvesting high‐purity metallic lithium (99.98 wt%) from low‐lithium‐purity sources (80 wt%) at a moderate temperature (190 °C). This gives it huge potential in separating lithium with impurities especially alkali and alkali‐earth elements. The cost of metallic lithium production is only 25% of the international lithium price. The proposed electrochemical metallic lithium separating method is advantageous compared with the traditional process in terms of efficiency, safety, and cost.