Advances in Lithium Recovery from Primary and Secondary Sources

This topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art technologies for lithium recovery from primary and secondary sources, while emphasizing key challenges and potential directions for advancing this rapidly evolving field. Lithium has emerged as one of the most critical metals driving revolutions in clean energy technologies. The surging demand for lithium, largely driven by the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, has intensified efforts to identify alternative sources and develop innovative recovery methods. Recent advancements have demonstrated significant progress in extracting lithium from unconventional sources, including consumer waste streams, industrial byproducts, and emerging natural resources. Notable breakthroughs include the adoption of environmentally sustainable chemical agents, such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, replacing traditional inorganic acids with high carbon footprints. Furthermore, innovations in thermal treatments, novel additives, and advanced separation techniques have contributed to the sustainable and economical recovery of lithium. In the meantime, the integration of computation modeling, supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning, has significantly improved our understanding of the material–structure–property–process relationships that govern lithium extraction and recovery. Advances in characterization techniques have further unveiled critical insights into microstructures, molecular-level interactions, and mechanisms underpinning both established and emerging lithium recovery processes.