Application of Nanofiltration Membrane Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) in the Separation of Magnesium and Lithium from Salt Lakes

Abstract

With the increasing demand for lithium, the shortage of resources has become increasingly apparent. In order to conserve resources and to improve recovery, the extraction of lithium from salt lakes has become mandatory for sustainable development. Porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have attracted extensive attention due to their high/tunable porosity, pore function, multiple pore structures/compositions, and open metal sites. Moreover, MOFs combine the advantages of other porous materials and have a wide range of applications, which have received significant interest from the scientific community. Therefore, the selection of MOFs materials, the optimization of preparation methods, and the research of lithium separators are key directions to improve the total yield of lithium resources in salt lakes in China. This study aims to improve the comprehensive utilization of resources after lithium extraction and strengthen the engineering technology research of lithium extraction from salt lakes. This study can help to achieve the goal of efficient, integrated, and sustainable utilization of salt lake resources. An attempt has been made to summarize the types and preparation methods of MOFs materials, as well as the separation mechanism of MOFs nanofiltration membranes, with reference to its application in lithium extraction from salt lake brine. Finally, the future development of MOFs nanofiltration membranes for lithium extraction from salt lakes is also proposed.

Insights into adsorbent materials for lithium extraction by capacitive deionization: reconceptualizing the role of materials informatics

“…Besides carbon-based materials, some other materials shown in Fig. 2 including lithium ion sieves (LISs), 32 crown ethers (CEs), 33 two-dimensional (2D) materials, 34 metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), 35 and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), 36 have garnered substantial attention for lithium extraction. Their unique properties enable higher ion storage capacity, elevated energy density, and effective extraction even at low lithium-ion concentrations.…”

Separation Techniques for the Efficient and Green Recovery of Metal Minerals

“…Furthermore, due to the surge in the demand for lithium resources, researchers have further developed lithium extraction technologies using salt lake brine. Yueyu Liu presents a review of MOF nanofiltration membranes used in the separation of Li from salt lake brine [25].…”

Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks-8@SiO2–ZrO2 Crystal–Amorphous Hybrid Core–Shell Structure as a Building Block for Water Purification Membranes

“…Indeed, the voids and defects between nanocrystals allow for the permeation of dissolved ions and organic species through the membrane. Thus, continuous and selective layers were achieved only at a thickness of several micrometers, ,, and this is detrimental to the membrane permeance. An alternative approach consists of the dispersion of MOFs nanocrystals in a continuous matrix to form defect-free NF active layers.…”