Adsorption Materials toward Highly-Efficient Lithium Extraction from Non-Conventional Lithium Sources

The exponential growth of new energy vehicles and energy storage systems has generated an urgent and ever-increasing demand for lithium resources. As a result, efficient and direct lithium extraction (DLE) from non-conventional lithium sources, including low-grade salt-lake brines, geothermal brines, lithium-containing wastewater, and seawater, has emerged as a critical challenge for ensuring sustainable lithium supply. DLE of adsorption technology offers demonstrated unique advantages for lithium recovery from complex lithium-containing solutions, due to its operational simplicity, exceptional selectivity, and scalable accessibility. Achieving this capability fundamentally rely on the rational design of adsorption materials for lithium extraction from complex solutions, integrating high selectivity, good capacity, and robust environmental resilience. In this review, recent advancements and persisting challenges are systematically summarized in lithium extraction from these demanding yet promising resources. Specifically, one particular focus is targeted material design for Li⁺ recognition and practical application-oriented optimizations. In addition, a principle is presented for future lithium adsorption materials and perspectives on lithium adsorption extraction from non-conventional lithium source scenarios. This review aims to promote the development of innovative adsorption extraction methods for complex and low-concentration lithium-containing solutions.