Understanding the Behaviors of λ-MnO₂in Electrochemical Lithium Recovery: Key Limiting Factors and a Route to the Enhanced Performance

Recently developed electrochemical lithium recovery systems, whose operation principle mimics that of lithium-ion battery, enable selective recovery of lithium from source waters with a wide range of lithium ions (Li+) concentrations; however, physicochemical behaviors of the key component - Li+-selective electrode - in realistic operation conditions have been poorly understood. Herein, we report an investigation on a λ-MnO2 electrode during the electrochemical lithium recovery process with regards to the Li+ concentration in source water and operation rate of the system. Three distinctive stages of λ-MnO2 originating from different limiting factors for lithium recovery are defined with regard to the rate of Li+ supply from the electrolyte: depleted, transition, and saturated regions. By characterization of λ-MnO2 at different stages using diverse X-ray techniques, the importance of Li+ concentration in the vicinity of the electrode surface is revealed. On the basis of this understanding, increasing the density of the electrode/electrolyte interface is suggested as a realistic and general route to enhance the overall lithium recovery performance and is experimentally corroborated at a wide range of operation environments.