The advancement of lithium-ion batteries has undergone significant progress in recent years, particularly in electric vehicles and energy storage power batteries. With the growing demand for lithium, the industry is actively seeking sustainable practices, including the recycling of waste batteries and the extraction of lithium from unconventional sources such as seawater.
A recent study conducted by researchers from the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) has introduced an enhanced method for lithium extraction using plasma technology. Their findings revealed that the use of CO2 microwave plasma technology has tripled the lithium extraction rate compared to existing methods. The conventional process involves the extraction of lithium carbonate from lithium-rich saltwater, but this necessitates an additional step to separate lithium carbonate from sodium impurities that mix during the extraction process.
The team, led by Dr. Ji Hun Kim and Dr. Jong Keun Yang from KFE, explored carbon dioxide microwave plasma technology for lithium extraction from brine. This technology involves ionizing carbon dioxide into a plasma state, which significantly enhances the lithium extraction rate. The use of carbon dioxide plasma has achieved an impressive 27.87% extraction rate, surpassing the 10.3% achieved through direct injections of carbon dioxide gas. This marks the first time that plasma technology has been shown to increase lithium extraction rates.
Dr. Yang, the first author of the research paper, emphasized the effects of heat, ions, electrons, and radicals generated when carbon dioxide plasma forms on lithium extraction rates. The team plans to expand their research into plasma lithium extraction processes by delving into carbon dioxide plasma reactions. The goal is to establish plasma-based lithium extraction as a novel and efficient approach, particularly for extracting lithium from seawater with lower concentrations.
President Suk Jae Yoo of KFE highlighted the significance of this research, presenting a new application for plasma technology widely used in cutting-edge fields such as semiconductors. Recognizing the importance of lithium from seawater for fusion energy generation, President Yoo affirmed their commitment to ongoing research in both fusion energy development and fusion energy fuel acquisition. This study marks a significant stride toward sustainable lithium extraction methods, bringing plasma technology to the forefront of innovative solutions in the pursuit of clean energy.
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