World's Lithium Research Articles

Recent Innovations and Patents of Lithium Extraction Techniques from Various Lithium Bearing Solutions

Abstract: Lithium, with its exceptional properties, such as remarkable redox activity and high specific heat capacity, finds widespread applications in thermonuclear fusion reactors, ceramics, batteries, aerospace, glass, metal additives, and photo-electricity. The growing demand for clean technology, especially electric cars and energy storage, has led to a significant rise in global lithium production. Brines now constitute a major portion of the world's lithium output, driving research in lithium extraction and purification methods. This study examines recent innovative research and patents, including various extraction techniques, sorbents, electrolysis-based approaches, and cost-effective methods. The study identifies gaps and limitations in existing lithium extraction technology and proposes future research areas to advance the field. The bibliographic analysis underscores the importance of further investigation to overcome current obstacles and drive progress in lithium extraction.

Handheld LIBS analysis for in situ quantification of Li and detection of the trace elements (Be, Rb and Cs)

The world's lithium demand is currently increasing due to its use in batteries and in green energy technologies. As a consequence, Li has recently been added to the list of critical materials in Europe. Finding new deposits is necessary in order to guarantee a mid- to long-term stable supply. Granites and associated pegmatites are the primary ‘hard-rock’ source for Li, where it is present in a variety of aluminosilicate minerals. Li is a light element that typically occurs at low concentrations in rocks and minerals, which presents challenges for some analytical techniques (e.g., portable X-ray fluorescence) for exploration. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a powerful analytical technique for the acquisition of simultaneous almost all elements of the periodic table. LIBS has particular sensitivity to the light elements (Z < 13) and, therefore, handheld LIBS has significant potential for the exploration of pegmatite- or granite-related Li mineralization. For this study, a suite of 16 pegmatite-hosted Li ore minerals comprising the three main aluminosilicate species (spodumene, lepidolite and petalite) that contained between 1.36 and 3.54 wt% Li was analyzed using a handheld LIBS instrument. A univariate calibration curve was developed for LIBS quantification of Li in these minerals using the strong Li emission lines at 610.36 nm and 670.79 nm (R2 > 0.9, RMSD = 0.2 wt% Li). Simultaneous quantification of Li contents and measurement of major element ratios (e.g., Si/Al) using portable LIBS permits rapid discrimination between different Li-bearing silicates, such as spodumene and petalite, that can be difficult to identify in the field on the basis of macroscopic criteria. Moreover, the detection of minor/trace elements such as Be, Rb and Cs is possible by handheld LIBS, which can provide useful information for rare metal pegmatite and granite exploration. Thus, qualitative and quantitative analysis by handheld LIBS represents a very promising approach for Li exploration.

The Magmatic–Hydrothermal Transition in Lithium Pegmatites: Petrographic and Geochemical Characteristics of Pegmatites from the Kamativi Area, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACTLithium is a critical metal, vital for electrification of transport. Currently, around half the world's lithium is extracted from rare-metal pegmatites and understanding the genesis and evolution of these igneous rocks is therefore essential. This paper focuses on the pegmatites in the Kamativi region of Zimbabwe. A group of early pegmatites is distinguished from a late pegmatite suite which includes the ca. 1030 Ma Main Kamativi Pegmatite. Previously mined for tin, the mine tailings are now being investigated for lithium. Mineral-scale investigation of samples from the Main Kamativi Pegmatite has allowed recognition of a four-stage paragenesis: (1) an early magmatic assemblage dominated by quartz, alkali feldspar, spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) and montebrasite [LiAl(PO4)(OH, F)]; (2) partial alteration by widespread albitization, associated with growth of cassiterite and columbite group minerals; (3) irregular development of a quartz, muscovite, columbite group mineral assemblage; and (4) widespread low-temperature fluid-induced alteration of earlier phases to cookeite, sericite, analcime, and apatite. Whole-rock geochemistry indicates that the late pegmatites are enriched in Li, Cs, Ta, Sn, and Rb but depleted in Nb, Zr, Ba, Sr, and the rare earth elements relative to early pegmatites and country rock granitoids. A combination of field relationships and published dating indicates that the granitoids, and probably the early pegmatites, were emplaced toward the end of the ca. 2000 Ma Magondi Orogeny, whereas the late pegmatites are almost 1000 million years younger. The late pegmatites thus cannot be genetically related to the granitoids and are instead likely to have formed by partial melting of metasedimentary source rocks. The drivers for this melting may be related to crustal thickening along the northern margin of the Kalahari Craton during the assembly of Rodinia.

Assessing the Real Risk of Mining Industry Environmental Impact. Case Study

The aim of this article is to analyse the real risk that mining operations pose to the environment, including all the main concernsrelated to the project's planned operations and their environmental impacts. In order to carry out an in-depth analysis of a practicalcase involving the real process of mineral extraction, we use the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Leopold matrix as a methodof measurement. The subject of the investigation is the extraction of lithium from natural brine located in South America's so-calledLithium Triangle, in the geographical limits of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, where more than 80% of the world's lithium reserves arelocated. The case study showed that the elements of the environment most exposed to mining activities are the biosphere, lithosphereand hydrosphere. The vast areas of the mining company are covered by sedimentary ponds with brine. Pumping the brine to the surface results in a loss of groundwater resources and, consequently, changes the water cycle in the catchment area. The habitats of aquaticand terrestrial fauna and flora are significantly changed or irretrievably damaged.

Lessons from the Lithium Triangle: Considering Policy Explanations for the Variation in Lithium Industry Development in the “Lithium Triangle” Countries of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia

With lithium demand soaring for application in technology, it is vital to understand how states with lithium deposits can attract investment for extraction. Since the “lithium triangle” countries hold much of the world's lithium reserves, they serve as greatly contrasting case studies regarding lithium output. This research explains how policy differences in these three countries have resulted in differing output and industry development. Data are collected from investment reports, semi‐structured interviews, and surveys with insiders, finding two primary policy considerations. First, policy transparency and uniformity explain variation in investment and thus output. Unclear rules greatly deter investment, even when the resource is abundant. Then, property protections from state expropriation ensure these investments are secure and are more likely to attract investment and development. These findings have implications for emerging natural resource industries around the world and for those with geopolitical interests in securing access to critical resources.Related ArticlesDe Lombaerde, Philippe. 2015. “The Political Economy of Trade Protection in Colombia.” Politics &amp; Policy 43 (6): 855‐886. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12140Villanueva Ulfgard, Rebecka. 2019. “Mexico's Struggle with Development between Global Compromises and National Development Plans.” Politics &amp; Policy 47 (1): 50‐78. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/polp.12288Wise, Carol, and Cintia Quiliconi. 2007. “China's Surge in Latin American Markets: Policy Challenges and Responses.” Politics &amp; Policy 35 (3): 410‐438. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2007.00067.x

Nitrogen-doped carbon fibers embedding CoOx nanoframes towards wearable energy storage.

As continuous consumption of the world's lithium reserves is causing concern, alternative energy storage solutions based on earth-abundant elements, such as sodium-ion batteries and zinc-air batteries, have been attracting increasing attention. Herein, nanoframes of CoOx are encapsulated into carbonized microporous fibers by electrospinning zeolitic imidazolate frameworks to impart both a sodium-hosting capability and catalytic activities for reversible oxygen conversion. The ultrahigh rate performance of sodium-ion batteries up to 20 A g-1 and ultrastable cycling over 6000 cycles are attributed to a dual-buffering effect from the framework structure of CoOx and the confinement of carbon fibers that effectively accommodates cyclic volume fluctuation. Both in situ Raman and ex situ microscopic analyses unveil the reversible conversion of CoOx during the sodiation/desodiation process. The excellent ORR activity, superior to that of commercial Pt/C, is mainly ascribed to the abundant Co-N-C species and the full exposure of active sites on the microporous framework structure. Flexible and rechargeable sodium-ion full batteries and zinc-air batteries are further demonstrated with great energy efficiency and cycling stability, as well as mechanical deformability.

LITHIUM: GLOBAL RESERVES AND APPLICATION PROSPECTS

The present review is dedicated to the world's lithium resources, and application areas of lithium and its compounds in everyday life and technology. The paper reviews of the world's largest lithium deposits and analyzes its global production and reserves. The estimates of reserves were made on the basis of information received from government and industry sources. Due to the market development of lithium power sources, the secondary resources become the most promising ones. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates the necessity of creation of processes for recycling of spent lithium power sources. In connection with rapid growth in lithium consumption, it is very urgent task of lithium extracting, and its production in the form of salts, and metal. The paper describes the modern sorption methods of lithium extraction from the poor composition natural waters and brines with the use of inorganic ion exchangers highly selective to lithium. We present the results of their tests on real natural brines. Particular attention is given to the review o f the lithium and its compounds application areas: lithium power sources; glass and ceramics; lubricants, regeneration of oxygen in the autonomous life support systems, production of polymeric materials and catalysts in chemical technology, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, medicine, moreover, hydrogen energy, electronics and nonlinear optics, nuclear power, and used as rocket fuel. In the article, we provide an overview of p rices and demand for lithium and its compounds.