On-Site Portable Lithium Detection in Mining and Recycling Industries Based on a DNAzyme Fluorescent Sensor

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Global demand for lithium (Li+) is rapidly increasing, driven by widespread lithium-ion battery use.
• Existing methods for lithium detection and extraction can be complex and not suitable for on-site applications.
• Accurate, on-site analysis is crucial for resource exploration and battery recycling strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, on-site sample preparation methods for lithium (Li+) extraction from diverse sources.
• To create a sensitive and robust DNAzyme-based fluorescent sensor for Li+ detection.
• To enable portable, real-time assessment of lithium levels for industrial applications.

Main Methods:

• Developed on-site sample preparation techniques for Li+ extraction from brine water, spodumene rock, and lithium-ion battery electrodes.
• Engineered a DNAzyme-based fluorescent sensor for quantitative Li+ detection.
• Utilized a portable fluorometer for field-based measurements.

Main Results:

• Achieved sensitive Li+ detection down to 1.4 mM (10 ppm).
• Demonstrated the system's ability to distinguish critical lithium concentration thresholds relevant to mining and battery recycling (e.g., 200 ppm for brine, 6% Li2O for rock).
• Validated the sensor's performance across different sample matrices.

Conclusions:

• The developed on-site system provides a highly selective and portable solution for lithium detection.
• This technology facilitates the identification of new lithium resources and supports efficient battery recycling.
• The methods contribute to meeting the escalating global demand for lithium.