Electrodialysis for Rare Metal Recovery from Battery Waste: A Brief Review

With the surge in electric vehicle sales, managing spent batteries has become critical. The significant rare metal content in batteries has driven interest in recovering these metals from industrial wastewater. Electrodialysis (ED) stands out for its eco-friendliness, low energy consumption, and compatibility with other technologies. This review highlights recent advancements in ED, including integrating nanofiltration (NF) for enhanced selectivity and diffusion dialysis (DD) for pretreatment to improve conductivity and energy efficiency. Innovations in ion exchange membranes (IEMs), such as monovalent-selective and functionalized membranes, have boosted ion separation performance. Strategies like bipolar membrane ED (BMED) and chelating agents enhance recovery efficiency, while anti-fouling techniques like pulsed electric fields and surface modifications prolong membrane lifespan. Energy efficiency improvements include optimizing electrical systems and adopting multistage or selective ED setups. Scaling ED systems for industrial applications involves addressing challenges like resistance and leakage through advanced design and monitoring. Despite progress, further innovation is needed to improve selectivity, reduce fouling, and enhance system reliability. By advancing materials and integrating complementary technologies, ED can serve as a sustainable solution for recovering rare metal ions and treating wastewater, aligning with circular economy goals.