This review paper overviews the transformation processes and cost of converting critical lithium ores, primarily spodumene and brine, into high-purity battery-grade precursors. We systematically examine the study findings on various approaches for lithium recovery from spodumene and brine.
The transformation of critical lithium ores, such as spodumene and brine, into battery-grade materials is a complex and evolving process that plays a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries.
Battery Grade Lithium Materials The minerals required for batteries contain ten critical elements used for Li-ion battery technology. These elements include lithium, iron, manganese, cobalt, aluminum, natural graphite, copper, phosphorus, nickel, and titanium.
To produce battery-grade lithium salts, the beneficiated-concentrated spodumene must be treated further, with or without heat, in the presence of acidic or alkaline media. As a result, various pyro and hydrometallurgical techniques have been explored.
Battery-grade lithium compounds are high-purity substances suitable for manufacturing cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The global production of cathode materials includes LiFePO 4, Li 2 MnO 4, and LiCoO 2, among others. Usually, the starting raw material is Li 2 CO 3, followed by lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH·H 2 O and LiCl .
Lithium ore, also known as hard-rock lithium, is derived from mining and is one of the major raw material sources for lithium production for industrial applications – the other source is lithium brines.