A rationally designed scalable thin film nanocomposite cation exchange membrane for precise lithium extraction.

ABSTRACT: Precise separation of ions of the same polarity and similar valence and size remains a critical need in resource recovery from waste streams. Here, we report the rational design and scalable fabrication of a thin film nanocomposite (TFN) cation exchange membrane to achieve precise selectivity for lithium over competing cations. The precise selectivity is realized by an ultrathin polyamide (PA) layer incorporated with amine functionalized β-monoclinic lithium titanium oxide (N-LTO) nanoparticles using a scalable interfacial polymerization process that allows high N-LTO loading while minimizing interfacial defects. The TFN membrane demonstrates superior Li⁺ permeability, with Li⁺/Ca²⁺ and Li⁺/Na⁺ selectivity reaching 173.90 and 13.58, re

SUBMITTER: Feng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12480877 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature