CMI researchers at University of South Florida and Idaho National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight
Innovation
Novel method of fabricating graphene-impregnated polymer membranes with crown ether functionalization used to produce electrodialysis membranes with high lithium yield and selectivity over sodium.
Achievement
- Preferential transport of Li+ through the membrane (Selectivity Li+/Na+ = 1.71).
- Achieved 85% lithium yield within 5 hours.
Significance and Impact
The fabricated membranes address a major challenge in membrane-based ion separations. Membranes fabricated through this method can also be used to tackle other difficult metal separations.
Hub Target Addressed
Highly selective extraction and separation.
