Lithium and Iron Extraction, Separation, and Battery Recycling
This community focuses on the chemical and physical processes used to extract lithium from ores and brines, process iron into steel, and recover valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries.
The work centers on hydrometallurgical techniques, including acid leaching, solvent extraction, and flotation separation, to isolate lithium, iron, copper, and nickel. A significant portion of the research addresses the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries, specifically the recovery of cathode materials and the management of printed circuit boards. Life cycle assessment and circular economy frameworks are frequently applied to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of these extraction and recycling pathways. The recurring methods include deep eutectic solvents, selective recovery mechanisms, and blast furnace reduction processes for iron and steel production.
The largest share of the community's output is found in iron research, accounting for 5.5% of all iron research, and 5,889 papers here. Lithium research follows closely, comprising 5.1% of all lithium research, with 5,392 papers in this group. Copper research represents 3.7% of the total copper literature, contributing 3,985 papers.
The community comprises 49,501 papers, publishing most frequently in Minerals Engineering, Hydrometallurgy, and Separation and Purification Technology.
Recent work continues to focus on novel strategies for lithium extraction from low-quality brines, bioleaching mechanisms, and the selective flotation of various ores. Newer studies also explore the circular economy aspects of the global lithium-ion battery supply chain and the recovery of valuable metals from battery cathode leachates.