Unlocking Unconventional Lithium Resources through Sustainable Electrochemical Leaching
Research Poster Engineering 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Hanrui Zhang
Exhibition Number 56
Abstract
With the rapid increase in lithium consumption for electric vehicle applications, its price soared during the past decade. To secure a reliable and cost-effective supply chain, it is critical to unlock alternative lithium extraction resources beyond conventional brine. In this study, we develop an electrochemical method to directly leach lithium from natural-state spodumene ores without calcination. We find the H2O2 promoter can significantly reduce the leaching potential by facilitating the electron transfer. Upon leaching, the leached natural-state spodumene remains its original crystal phase with a lattice shrinkage, meaning the reaction pathway is changed by the addition of H2O2. To demonstrate the scale-up potential of electrochemical leaching, we design a catalyst-modified high-throughput current collector for high loading of spodumene feedstock, achieving a leaching current of 18mA and a leaching efficiency of 92.2%. This electrochemical leaching will revolutionize traditional mining and recycling processes by minimizing the environmental footprint and energy consumption.
Importance
The study introduces an electrochemical method to directly leach lithium from natural-state alpha-phase spodumene, a prevalent lithium ore. By utilizing H2O2 as a promoter, this approach significantly reduces the energy consumption and environmental impact associated with traditional high-temperature extraction processes. This method offers a more sustainable and efficient pathway to meet the growing demand for lithium consumption like electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. This advancement holds promise for enhancing the economic viability and environmental sustainability of lithium production.