US breakthrough set to disrupt global lithium market, challenge China’s dominance

A cutting-edge discovery by American researchers promises to shake up the global lithium industry and reduce US dependence on China, the current dominant force in the rare earth metals market.

For years, the US has relied heavily on China for lithium - a crucial element in batteries powering electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage. In 2023 alone, the US imported 3,400 tons of lithium, with 60 per cent processed in China, raising strategic and environmental concerns amid growing demand driven by the global green energy transition, Caliber.Az reports via Jason Deegan.

Now, a revolutionary electrochemical reactor developed in the US offers a highly efficient new method to extract lithium from natural brine sources. Featuring an innovative three-chamber design, the reactor incorporates a porous solid electrolyte and a specialised cation-exchange membrane to selectively filter lithium ions while blocking unwanted contaminants such as chloride ions. This unique setup prevents harmful chemical reactions and dramatically improves extraction efficiency.

The result is an impressive 97.5 per cent lithium extraction rate—significantly higher purity than traditional methods - offering a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to existing lithium production techniques. A key component of the reactor is the lithium-ion conductive glass ceramic (LICGC) membrane, which enhances ion selectivity and maintains high ionic conductivity, ensuring lithium is extracted with minimal impurities.

Despite this promising advancement, challenges remain. Sodium ion accumulation during extraction can disrupt performance and increase energy consumption. Researchers are exploring solutions such as adjusting electrical currents and using surface coatings or pulsed currents to optimise the reactor’s operation.

If successfully scaled, this technology could drastically reduce US reliance on imported lithium, potentially shifting the global rare earth metals landscape. It also strengthens America’s position in the expanding renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors - areas critical to the ongoing transition toward cleaner energy worldwide.

By Naila Huseynova