A graphene based membrane uses simple pH changes as a light switch to pull lithium out of old batteries with perfect accuracy.
April 23, 2026
Original Paper
pH-responsive graphene oxide subnanochannels for sustainable lithium recovery from spent lithium ion battery
SSRN · 6629848
The Takeaway
Recovering lithium is usually a messy and inefficient chemical process because other metals get in the way. This new material uses subnanometer channels that can be opened or closed just by adjusting the acidity of the solution. When the switch is on, lithium passes through while larger, unwanted ions are completely blocked. This technology makes the recycling of electric vehicle batteries dramatically cheaper and more sustainable.
From the abstract
The rapid advancement of electric vehicles is expected to significantly increase the production volume of spent lithium-ion batteries. Separation of lithium from complex spent battery leaching solution is crucial for critical metal recovery and the sustainability of the circular economy. However, achieving precise separation between Li⁺ and competing multivalent ions remains a challenge due to their similar hydrated radii. In this study, an EDTA-functionalized graphene oxide membrane that exhibi