Selective Electrochemical Li⁺ Extraction from Brines Using TiP₂O₇

The demand for Li keeps increasing due to the growing need for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). More than 50% of Li is currently obtained from Li + -rich brine deposits. Also, the LIB manufacturing industry generates wastewater containing Li + mixed with other cations. Thus, the development of methods to selectively extract Li + from various natural and industrial Li + -containing solutions are critically needed to ensure a sustainable and environmentally benign Li supply chain. This study reports TiP 2 O 7 (TPO) as a promising candidate for selective electrochemical Li + extraction and recovery from solutions containing a mixture of cations where Na +, K +, Mg 2+, and Ca 2+ are more concentrated than Li + . In addition, TPO’s ability to extract Li + from a simulated brine mimicking the Uyuni Brine in Bolivia and recovering it as Li 2 CO 3 is demonstrated. Its unique advantage over LiFePO 4 and LiMn 2 O 4, two candidates previously investigated for selective Li + extraction from brines, is also discussed.