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New Carbon Nitride Membrane
Context:
Researchers at the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a crystalline carbon nitride membrane.
More on News:
- This new technology could bring significant changes to the lithium extraction industry.
- A study published in Science Advances presents “congener-welded” crystalline carbon nitride membranes with bio-inspired enhancements.
Key Highlights:
- Membrane Design: The novel membrane features a “congener-welded” crystalline structure, outperforming traditional polymer membranes.
- It achieves an impressive selectivity ratio of 1,708 for extracting highly dilute lithium ions (0.002 M) from concentrated magnesium ions (1.0 M).
- Inspired by Nature: Based on biological ion channels design provides high selectivity and enhanced stability important for practical applications.
- In separating lithium ions from magnesium ions in salt-lake brine.
- Unique Structure: The membrane’s structure combines both crystalline and amorphous forms of polymer carbon nitride.
- This ensures pore uniformity, prevents larger hydrated magnesium ions from entering, and facilitates smooth lithium-ion transport similar to natural ion channels.
- Beyond Lithium Extraction: Researchers believe this dual-function membrane could contribute to environmental protection efforts and improve resource recovery beyond lithium extraction.
- Growing Demand: The increasing demand for lithium due to electric vehicles and renewable energy has made the use of efficient and sustainable extraction methods essential.
- The image provides an overview of the key components and materials used in the production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).