1. Research Group
Membrane separation and molten salt energy storage
2. Brief Introduction
The research group comprises a total of 30 members, with 19 permanent staff, including 2 professors, 10 associate researchers, 5 doctoral students, 6 master’s students, and 4 contract-based personnel. The group has established several experimental platforms, encompassing a lithium-magnesium separation membrane and membrane process platform for high magnesium-to-lithium ratio salt lakes, a continuous ion exchange separation platform, a multi-stage extraction separation pilot platform, a molten salt energy storage material performance testing platform, a lithium battery material preparation and performance evaluation platform, and a green recycling platform for waste lithium batteries. Research Focus includes separation and enrichment processes of lithium resources, process intensification and mechanisms, and the development and application of energy storage materials based on salt lake resources.
3. Introduction of The Group Director
Name: Prof. Min Wang
Major: Inorganic Chemistry & Materials and Chemical Engineering
Tel: 0971-6313624
E-mail: wangmin@isl.ac.cn
Brief CV：Wang Min, female, born in 1966, is a senior researcher, doctoral supervisor, and recognized expert under the ministry of science and technology of China. She is also a technical expert in patent examination, a leading figure in the fields of natural sciences and engineering technology in Qinghai Province, the deputy director of the molten salt energy storage professional committee of the China inorganic salt industry association, a member of the molecular recognition and separation engineering professional committee of the chemical industry and engineering society of China, an editorial board member of Chemical Mineral Processing, and the deputy editor-in-chief of Journal of Salt Lake Research. She currently serves as the director of the salt lake resource chemistry laboratory, focusing on salt lake resource separation science and energy storage material preparation. Representative Contributions: 1) Separation, extraction and high-value diversified utilization of lithium-magnesium resources from salt lakes with a high magnesium-to-lithium ratio. Wang pioneered the "gradient coupled membrane separation technology" and established a new 10,000-ton-class lithium carbonate production system. This novel process enables cyclic utilization of brine and freshwater resources through a purely physical method, while advancing separation theories for membrane technology in salt lake brine systems. 2) Low-grade solid potassium resource conversion and utilization. Wang developed technologies for the solid-liquid transformation and exploitation of low-grade solid potash resources, providing technical support for utilizing ultra-low-grade potassium ore. Her work established a potassium resource extraction model for salt lake waste and elucidated the chemical mechanisms underlying low-grade potassium ore separation, proposing novel methods for the separation of potassium resources from tailings and tail liquid. 3) Fundamental research on high-performance thermal energy storage media and their industrialization and application. Wang designed innovative pathways for directly producing high-performance molten salt energy storage materials from salt lake inorganic salts and proposed precision control strategies for nitrate impurity ions. Wang also built China's first 1 MW molten salt heat storage system engineering test platform. 4) Green and Low-Cost Recycling of Waste Lithium Batteries. Using environmentally friendly and cost-effective separation technologies, Wang enabled comprehensive recovery and utilization of multi-metal elements from waste lithium batteries. Achievements: Wang has filed over 80 invention patents, with more than 50 granted, including 6 international patents. She has published over 70 research papers, 40 of which are indexed by SCI and EI. She has also contributed to six national standards and three industry standards. Honors and Awards: Qinghai Province "Outstanding Women Contribution" Award in 2010. Qinghai Provincial First Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress in 2011. Science and Technology Promotion and Development Award of CAS in 2017. State Council Special Allowance, CAS Role Model Award, Qinghai Provincial Talent Program and China Technology Market Gold Bridge Award for Outstanding Contribution in 2018. China Industry-University-Research Collaboration Innovation Achievement Award and Qinghai Province Innovation-Driven Award in 2020. China Patent Excellence Award in 2022.
4. Group members
(1) Staffs
(2) Phd Students
(3) Master’s Degree Students
5. Research Projects
1.Biomimetic Materials for Element Concentration and Energy Conversion (2022YFB3805903), National Key Research and Development Program, 2023-2026.
2.Research and Demonstration of Key Technologies for Salt Lake Resource Extraction and Comprehensive Utilization (2018YFC0604804), National Key Research and Development Project，2018-2021.
3.Study on the Process Intensification of Efficient Reactive Separation of Magnesium and Lithium Resources from Salt Lakes and the Preparation of High-Purity Lithium Hydroxide (U20A20138)，Key Project of the Regional Innovation and Joint Development Fund, 2023-2026.
4.Industrial Waste Salt-Based Molten Salt Thermal Storage Materials and Their System Applications (U22A20213), Key Project of the Regional Innovation and Joint Development Fund, 2023-2026.
5.Efficient Utilization of Salt Lake Magnesium Resources and Product Engineering (U1707603), Qaidam Joint Fund Integration Project, 2018-2021.
6.Scientific Foundation for the Green and Efficient Utilization of Salt Lake Lithium Resources and the Preparation of High-Purity Lithium Salts (U1707601), Qaidam Joint Fund Integrated Project, 2018-2021.
7.Fundamental Research on the Application of Reaction-Separation Coupling Process for the Production of Magnesium-Based Functional Materials and Co-Production of Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate (U1507202), Qaidam Joint Fund Key Project, 2016-2019.
8. Study on the Low-Temperature Salt Formation of Brine from Dongtai Salt Lake and the Low-Temperature Distribution Patterns of Lithium, Potassium, Boron, and Magnesium (U1707601), Qaidam Joint Fund General Project, 2015-2017.
9. Study on the Correlation Mechanism Between Impurity Ions, Nitrate Molten Salt Structure, and Their Thermal Properties (21601197), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Youth Program, 2017-2019.
10. Application and Engineering Demonstration of High-Performance Thermal Storage Media from Salt Lake Resources in Solar Thermal Utilization Technology (KFJ-EW-STS-131), Chinese Academy of Sciences Science and Technology Service (STS) Project, 2015-2017.
11.Research on the Brine Conversion-Purification Coupling Mechanism and Green Lithium Hydroxide Production Technology, Key Project of the "West Light" Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2023-2025.
12.New Dehydration-Preparation Coupling Process and Performance Enhancement of Low-Melting Magnesium-Based Nitrate Molten Salts, General Project of the "West Light" Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021-2023.
13.Research and Demonstration of High-Quality Lithium Carbonate Preparation Process Using Deep Brine as Raw Material (2019-GX-A7), Major Science and Technology Special Project of Qinghai Province, 2019-2022.
14.Development and Engineering Verification of Multi-Component Molten Salts for Solar Thermal Power Generation (2017-GX-A3), Major Science and Technology Special Project of Qinghai Province, 2017-2020.
15.Research and Demonstration of Lithium Phosphate Preparation Process for Battery Grade from Salt Lake Resources (2022-GX-102), Key Research and Development and Transformation Project of Qinghai Province, 2023-2025.
16.Research on Key Technologies for Resource Recovery of Waste Lithium-Ion Batteries (2021-GX-117), Key Research and Development and Transformation Program of Qinghai Province，2021-2023.
17.Comprehensive Development and Utilization Technology Integration and Industrialization Demonstration of Yiliping Salt Lake Resources: Experimental Research on Comprehensive Development and Utilization (2013-G-137A), Science and Technology Support Program of Qinghai Province, 2013-2015.
18.Industrialization Project for Lithium Carbonate Production from Yiliping Salt Lake Brine, Horizontal Research Project, 2018-2019.
6. Publications
(1) Papers
1. J. Zhang, J.W. Li, G.F. Jia, H.Y. Wang*, M. Wang*, Improving Na3V2(PO4)2F3 half-cell performance with NaBF4-enhanced sodium difluoro(oxalato)borate electrolyte. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2025, 102, 340-352.
2. Z.J. Peng, Q.C. Lu, Z.H. Zhu, Y.J. Zhao, M. Wang*, Efficient and Green Recovery of Lithium from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on a Multipotential Field Membrane Process Intensification. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2024, 12, 47.
3. Z.L. Li, Y.J. Zhao, Y. Li, J. Lu, M. Wang*, Reverse osmosis process combining energy consumption analysis and mass transfer in the concentration of lithium-enriched brine. Desalination, 2025, 594, 118309.
4. Y. Li, Y.J. Zhao, M. Wang*, H.Y. Wang, Enhanced anti-fouling and selective performance of GO-modified nanofiltration membranes for lithium extraction from salt lake brine. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 499, 156269.
5. Y.J. Zhao*, M.M. Gou, Z.L. Li, Y. Li, H.J. Yang, Z.H. Zhu, Z.J. Peng, M. Wang*, Effects of cell configuration and bipolar membrane on preparation of LiOH through bipolar membrane electrodialysis from salt lake brine. Separation and Purification Technology, 2024, 349, 127875.
6. M.M. Gou, Y.J. Zhao*, B.Y. L, Y. Li, Z.L. Li, M. Wang*, Scaling behavior of cation exchange membrane induced by Ca2+ during the electrodialysis for enriching lithium-containing solutions. Journal of Membrane Science, 2025, 713, 123283.
7. Y. Zhong*, J.L. Li, H.Y. Wang, Y.J. Zhao, M. Wang*, Molecular dynamics simulation studies elucidating interaction mechanisms and structures of salt–brine interfacial systems derived from magnesium sulfate subtype salt lakes. Desalination, 2024, 586, 117816.
8. J. Zhang, Z. Cheng, X. Qin, X. Gao, M. Wang*, X. Xiang*, Recent advances in lithium extraction from salt lake brine using coupled and tandem technologies. Desalination, 2023, 547, 116225.
9. L. Bai, M. Wang*, Z. Li, H. Yang*, Z. Peng, Y. Zhao, Fabrication of a novel composite nanofiltration membrane with excellent acid resistance and water flux via the selective bond dissociation method，Journal of Membrane Science, 2022, 643, 120012.
10. J.W. Li, N.Y. Hong, N.J. Luo, H.B. Dong, L.Q. Kang, Z.J. Peng, G.F. Jia, G.L. Chai *, M. Wang *, G.J. He *，In situ electrochemical modification of pre-intercalated vanadium bronze water zinc-ion battery cathode material. Science China Materials, 2022, 65, 1165-1175.
11. J. Li, N. Luo, L. Kang, F. Zhao, Y. Jiao, T. Macdonald, M. Wang, I. Parkin, P. Shearing, D. Brett, G. Chai*, G. He*, Hydrogen-bond reinforced superstructural manganese oxide as the cathode for ultra-stable aqueous zinc ion batteries. Advanced Energy Materials, 2022,12, 2201840.
12. Y. Zhao, X. Xiang*, M. Wang*, H. Wang, Y. Li, J. Li, H. Yang, Preparation of LiOH through BMED process from lithium-containing solutions: Effects of coexisting ions and competition between Na+ and Li+. Desalination, 2021,512,115126.
13. Y. Zhang, M. Wang*, J. Li, H. Wang, Y. Zhao, Improving thermal energy storage and transfer performance in solar energy storage: Nanocomposite synthesized by dispersing nano boron nitride in Solar Salt. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2021, 232: 111378.
14. Y. Zhong, M. Wang*, H. Wang, J. Yuan*, Thermodynamic description of the quaternary Mg (NO3)2-KNO3-NaNO3-LiNO3 system and investigation on the novel Mg (NO3)2 based nitrate salts with low temperature. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2021, 230, 111148.
15. J. Li, Y. Zhang, Y. Zhao, M. Wang*, Y. Yang*. Novel high specific heat capacity ternary nitrate/nitrite eutectic salt for solar thermal energy storage, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2021, 227, 111075.
16. Y. Zhao, H. Wang, Y. Li, M. Wang*, X. Xiang*, An integrated membrane process for preparation of lithium hydroxide from high Mg/Li ratio salt lake brine. Desalination, 2020, 493, 114620.
17. H. Wang, Y. Zhong, B. Du, Y. Zhao, M. Wang*, Recovery of both magnesium and lithium from high Mg/Li ratio brines using a novel process. Hydrometallurgy, 2018, 175:102-108.
18. L. Bai, M. Wang*, H. Yang*, Z. Peng, Y. Zhao, Z. Li, A nanofiltration membrane fabricated on a surfactant activated substrate with improved separation performance and acid resistance. New Journal of Chemistry, 2021, 45, 14381-14391.
19. Y. Zhong, H. Yang, H. Wang, H. Ge, M. Wang*, Solid-liquid phase equilibrium in the ternary system MgSO4+MgCl2+H2O at 263.15 K. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 2018, 63, 1300-1303.
20. H, Ge, M. Wang*, Phase equilibria in the ternary systems (MgSO4+MgB4O7+H2O) and (MgSO4+Mg2B6O11+H2O) at 273.15 K and 288.15 K: solubility and polyborate distribution. Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, 2021, 156, 106386.
21. Y. Zhong, J. Yuan*, M. Wang*, J. Li. Phase diagrams of binary systems Mg(NO3)2-KNO3, Mg(NO3)2-LiNO3 and ternary system Mg(NO3)2-LiNO3-NaNO3. Journal of Chemical And Engineering Data, 2020, 65, 3420-3427.
22. N. Hong, K. Wu, Z. Peng, Z. Zhu, G. Jia*, M. Wang*, Improved high rate performance and cycle performance of Al-doped O3-type NaNi0.5Mn0.5O2 cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Journal Of Physical Chemistry C, 2020, 124, 22925-22933.
23. L. Gao, M. Wang*, H. Wang*, Recovery of lithium from lepidolite by sulfuric acid and separation of Al/Li by nanofiltration. Minerals, 2020, 10, 981.
24. L. Gao, H. Wang, Y. Zhang, M. Wang*, Nanofiltration membrane characterization and application: extracting lithium in lepidolite leaching solution. Membranes, 2020, 10, 178.
25. Y. Wu, J. Li*, M. Wang*, Solar salt doped by MWCNTs as a promising high thermal conductivity material for CSP, RSC Advances, 2018, 8, 19251-19260.
(2) Patents
1. Method for efficient separation and enrichment of lithium. US11219864B2, ZL.2022.01.11.
2. Method for separation and enrichment of lithium. US11219863B2, ZL.2022.01.11.
3. Method for separation and enrichment of lithium. US11219862B2, ZL.2022.01.11.
4. Preparation method of lithium hydroxide. US11267719B2, ZL.2022.03.08.
5. W？rmeübertragungsmedium zur solarthermischen Stromerzeugung und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung, CH715547, ZL.2021.05.13.
6. W？rmeübertragungsmedium zur solarthermischen Stromerzeugung und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung, CH715755, ZL.2021.02.26.
7. Methods for efficient separation and enrichment of lithium, ZL.201811178789.4.
8. A method for the separation and enrichment of lithium, ZL.201811179963.7.
9. A method for separating lithium and magnesium and enriching lithium, ZL.201811180004.7.
10. A method for separating and enriching lithium, ZL.201811178725.4.
11. A method for the preparation of lithium hydroxide, ZL.201910293912.5.
12. A method for recovering potassium from potassium-containing industrial wastewater, ZL.201711296403.5.
13. A method for the comprehensive utilization of salt lake brine and potassium-rich industrial wastewater, ZL.201811481647.5.
14. A method for producing potassium chloride from high-sodium halite, ZL.202010371806.7.
15. A method for producing potassium magnesium sulfate fertilizer, potassium chloride, and potassium sulfate from sulfate-type halite, ZL.202010371809.0.
16. A nitrate-based molten salt thermal storage material and its preparation method, ZL.201410 306984.6.
17. A ternary nitrate molten salt and its preparation method, ZL.201711298463.0.
18. A method and system for recovering lithium and manganese from spent lithium manganese oxide batteries, ZL.201811093693.8.
19. A method and system for the comprehensive recovery of valuable metals from spent ternary lithium batteries, ZL.201811093703.8.
20. A method and system for recovering and regenerating the cathode from spent lithium batteries, ZL.201910547932.0.
7. Awards and Honors
1. The 12th China Technology Market Association Golden Bridge Award Project Award, 2024.
2. Qinghai Province First prize for Natural Science Award of Science and Technology Award, 2023.
3. The China Patent Excellence Award, 2022.
4. The China Industry-University-Research Collaboration Innovation Achievement Award and Qinghai Province Innovation-Driven Award, 2020.
5. The Science and Technology Promotion and Development Award of CAS, 2017.
6. Qinghai Provincial First Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress, 2011.