突破“渗透性—选择性”瓶颈新型纳滤膜实现盐湖镁锂高效分离

Core Viewpoint - Lithium is a critical raw material for electric vehicle batteries, and China has abundant lithium resources, primarily found in salt lake brine. However, separating magnesium and lithium ions in high magnesium-lithium ratio brine is challenging due to the limitations of traditional polyamide nanofiltration membranes. A new interface polymerization strategy proposed by a research team from China University of Petroleum (East China) aims to enhance the separation efficiency of magnesium and lithium ions in such environments [1][2][3][4]. Group 1: Challenges with Traditional Nanofiltration Membranes - Traditional polyamide nanofiltration membranes face a trade-off between permeability and selectivity, making it difficult to achieve both high water flux and high lithium purity simultaneously [2]. - In high-salinity environments, such as those found in China's salt lake brine, the limitations of traditional membranes become more pronounced, necessitating significant freshwater dilution, which increases costs and complicates implementation in water-scarce regions [2]. Group 2: Innovative Interface Polymerization Strategy - The research team has developed an innovative interface polymerization strategy that allows for staged control of the reaction behavior of dual aqueous phase monomers, leading to precise regulation of membrane structure and improved separation performance [3]. - This new approach breaks away from the traditional use of a single aqueous phase monomer, enabling the construction of membranes tailored for specific separation needs, akin to assembling a "molecular sieve" wall with various functional components [3]. Group 3: Application Prospects and Industrial Transition - The new nanofiltration membrane technology holds promise for ensuring the security of national lithium resources, particularly in the context of the lithium supply chain for electric vehicles [4]. - The membrane's high permeability and selectivity can significantly reduce energy consumption, enhance processing capacity, and minimize equipment footprint and initial investment, while also streamlining the overall process and reducing operational costs [4]. - The technology is currently transitioning from laboratory to industrial application, with successful development of a new nanofiltration membrane capable of efficiently removing divalent cations from high-salinity solutions, addressing common issues in industrial water treatment [5].