Abstract: Membrane materials and methods are disclosed for selectively separating or transporting ions in liquid media. In embodiments, the membranes comprise cellulose acetate polymer films having high cation, monovalent/divalent, and/or Li+/Mg2+ selectivity. Systems and methods for use of such membranes, including the direct extraction of lithium (DLE) from natural brines and other resources, also are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for direct production of lithium hydroxide by utilizing cation selective, monovalent selective, or preferably lithium selective membranes. Lithium selective membranes possess high lithium selectivity over multivalent and other monovalent ions and thus prevent magnesium precipitation during electrodialysis (ED) and also address the presence of sodium in most naturally occurring brine or mineral based lithium production processes.

Abstract: Lithiated metal organic frameworks, methods of manufacturing lithiated metal organic frameworks, for example, by binding a solvent molecule to the MOF structure to achieve a highly lithiated bound solvent metal organic framework having improved Li+-ion conductivity, and applications for use of the lithiated metal organic frameworks, for example, in various capacities in rechargeable lithium batteries.

Abstract: A lithium-generating system can include a lithium-containing source feed, a hardness reduction unit, and a bipolar electrodialysis or electrolysis unit. The lithium-containing source feed can provide a lithium-containing material. The hardness reduction unit can be configured to receive the lithium-containing material and reduce the hardness thereof yet still be over 10 ppm upon processing by the hardness reduction unit. The bipolar electrodialysis unit can process the lithium-containing material and generate an aqueous LiOH product. The hardness reduction unit is configured to produce a hardness level within a given hardness-reduced lithium-containing material to be within an upper operational limit of at least one bipolar membrane, in addition to being at a given hardness level of over 10 ppm. The lithium-generating system can further include components to facilitate production of Li2CO3 and/or LiOH·H2O.