| Abstract Scope |
Electrometallurgy is emerging as a promising pathway for lithium extraction and processing, offering significant advantages over conventional evaporation and hydrometallurgical routes. Electrochemical technologies—including intercalation-based ion pumping, electrodialysis, capacitive deionization, and hybrid systems—enable selective, continuous lithium recovery with reduced water and chemical consumption. These approaches can shorten production timelines from months to days and offer improved scalability through modular designs. However, most technologies remain at pilot to demonstration stages (TRL 3–7), facing challenges in materials durability, selectivity in complex brines, membrane fouling, and energy efficiency. In parallel, molten salt electrolysis represents a mature (TRL 8–9) electrometallurgical route for lithium metal production but is constrained by high energy demand and materials challenges. Cost barriers, including capital intensity and electricity consumption, remain critical. Advancing material performance, integrating hybrid flowsheets, leveraging renewable energy, and adopting modular scale-up strategies are key to achieving commercial viability and enabling a fully electrified lithium value chain. |