243 Critical Mineral Resources and Recovery in the Americas: Emerging Methods in Exploration and Sustainable Extraction, Part I

This session explores the role of critical minerals in technology and the low-carbon economy, focusing on geological discoveries, sustainable extraction methods, and recycling to support secure, environmentally responsible mineral supply chains in the Americas.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 217A

Durability assessment of LMO-PVDF composite materials for long-cycle lithium extraction from flowback and produced water

Paper number: 243-4
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:55 AM – 9:10 AM

Authors

Abstract

Global lithium (Li) demand is surging due to increased use of electric vehicles and renewable energy expansion. Flowback and produced water (FPW), a byproduct of oil and gas production, often contains tens to hundreds of parts-per-million (ppm) Li, offering a promising secondary resource. Direct lithium extraction (DLE) from FPW is faster and has a lower environmental impact than conventional mining. Lithium manganese oxide (LMO; Li1.6Mn1.6O4) is a promising DLE material, but it suffers structural degradation and Mn loss during cycling, caused by Mn3+ disproportionation and Mn4+ reduction by organics in FPW. Its nanoparticle form also limits practical use in extraction columns or other industrial-scale processes. In this study, an LMO-PVDF composite was developed by embedding LMO in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which was chosen for its chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and oleophobicity – which helps to prevent the diffusion of Mn-reducing organics to the LMO surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the PVDF substrate has a highly porous and fibrous structure with interconnected macropores and layered, sheet-like walls. An LMO-PVDF composite was then tested with a field collected FPW sourced from a hydraulically fractured well in the Duvernay formation of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Li extraction was conducted for 100 cycles at benchtop scale. Compared to powdered LMO, Mn loss per cycle for the composite was under 0.65%, far less than the 4.2% per cycle for the powder, while maintaining a similar Li uptake. After 100 cycles, the composite retained 60% of its initial Li uptake capacity, with a cumulative Mn loss of 27.8 wt%. Projections indicate over 250 effective cycles are possible. These results demonstrate LMO-PVDF composites as a durable and scalable solution for sustainable Li extraction from FPW.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-411923

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