Sustainable Lithium Recovery From Aqueous Sources Using Advanced Extraction Technologies: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Lithium is a critical element for modern energy storage systems, particularly in batteries powering renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. With global demand rapidly increasing, attention has shifted toward recovering lithium from unconventional sources such as desalination brine. This byproduct of brackish and seawater desalination contains lithium concentrations higher than those found in seawater, making it a valuable secondary resource. Recent advancements in recovery technologies-including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs), nanofiltration (NF), and capacitive deionization (CDI) and its variants (MCDI, HCDI, and FCDI)-offer promising pathways for efficient and sustainable lithium extraction. These technologies differ in selectivity, energy efficiency, scalability, and cost. MOFs and IIPs exhibit superior selectivity for lithium ions but are limited by high material costs, whereas CDI-based methods are more energy efficient, regenerative, and environmentally friendly. NF, though well established and scalable, often requires high pressure, increasing energy consumption. This review highlights the potential of hybrid systems that integrate the selectivity of advanced materials like MOFs and IIPs with the operational efficiency of CDI technologies. Such integrated approaches represent a sustainable and cost-effective route for large-scale lithium recovery from desalination brine, addressing both environmental and economic challenges associated with the global lithium supply.