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Researchers develop new method for direct lithium extraction from geothermal brines

Researchers at The George Washington University, University of Chicago and The University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method directly to extract and to purify lithium hydroxide from geothermal brines. An open-access paper on their work is published in Nature Communications.

In this work, we design an economically feasible electrochemical process that achieves selective lithium extraction from Salton Sea geothermal brine and purification of lithium chloride using intercalation materials, and conversion to battery grade (>99.5% purity) lithium hydroxide by bipolar membrane electrodialysis. We conduct techno-economic assessments using a parametric model and estimated the levelized cost of LiOH•H2O as 4.6 USD/kg at an electrode lifespan of 0.5 years. The results demonstrate the potential of our technology for electro-driven, chemical-free lithium extraction from alternative sources.

—Kong et al.

IMG_1320

a) Demonstration of the process train of lithium extraction from geothermal brine; b) demonstration of IDI lithium extraction process from brines (Inset: crystal structure of LiFePO4 for lithium intercalation); c) demonstration of IDI lithium chloride release process; and d) BMED for LiOH solution production. CEM indicates cation exchange membrane and BPM indicates bipolar membrane. Kong et al.


According to the researchers, current sources of lithium, including hard-rock mining and salt flats are insufficient to meet future global needs. This study introduces an environmentally friendly solution that taps into the resource of geothermal brines, specifically from sources like the Salton Sea in California.

The researchers' technology is set to be tested at scale in the coming years.

Resources

  • Kong, L., Yan, G., Hu, K. et al. Electro-driven direct lithium extraction from geothermal brines to generate battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Nat Commun 16, 806 (2025). doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56071-x

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