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 nanofiltration membranes [1][2]. Group 1: Challenges in Traditional Filtration - 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 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 Solutions - A research team led by Professor Sun Haixiang proposed a novel interface polymerization strategy to control the structure of nanofiltration membranes, enabling efficient separation of magnesium and lithium ions from high magnesium-lithium ratio brine [3]. - This innovative strategy allows for precise control over the reaction behavior of dual aqueous phase monomers, breaking the limitations of traditional single monomer approaches and enabling the creation of membranes tailored for specific separation needs [3]. Group 3: Application and Future Prospects - The new nanofiltration membrane technology holds promise for ensuring the security of national lithium resources, particularly for the lithium supply chain related to electric vehicles [4]. - The high permeability and selectivity of the new membranes can significantly reduce energy consumption, enhance processing capacity, and lower initial investment and operational costs, making it a viable solution for industrial applications [4]. - The technology is currently transitioning from laboratory to industrial application, with successful collaborations underway with companies like China National Offshore Oil Corporation to apply the membranes in oilfield water treatment [5].

锂是新能源汽车电池的核心原材料。我国锂资源储量丰富，其中约80%存在于盐湖卤水中。然而，盐湖 卤水中的镁和锂离子性质相近、共存一体，难以分离。传统聚酰胺纳滤膜长期受制于渗透性和选择性难 以兼顾的问题，在超高盐环境下性能急剧下降。基于此，中国石油大学(华东)孙海翔教授领衔的研究团 队提出了一种新型的分级调控界面聚合策略，用来调控纳滤膜的结构，可高效分离高镁锂比盐湖卤水中 的镁离子和锂离子。9月16日，中国化工报记者采访了研究团队的核心成员——中国石油大学(华东)博 士研究生陈宇昊。 传统膜材遇瓶颈 盐湖有锂难寻 纳滤膜是盐湖提锂常用的分离膜。然而，传统聚酰胺纳滤膜存在"渗透性—选择性"的权衡效应问 题。"传统纳滤膜难以同时实现高水通量和高选择性，这两者就像是天平的两端，要么水渗透快但提锂 不纯，要么锂提得纯但水渗透得慢。"陈宇昊解释道。 保障锂资源安全 应用前景广阔 该技术为保障国家锂资源安全，特别是当前以新能源汽车为代表的锂产业链安全带来了希望。陈宇昊指 出："用这项技术制备的纳滤膜可以在极高的盐浓度下运行，使开发特高镁锂比盐湖资源成为可能。"在 实际应用方面，新型纳滤膜的高渗透性与选择性意味着能耗显著降低， ...