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Abstract

Methods for selectively extracting lithium ions from samples containing lithium ions and sodium ions are provided. The methods take advantage of the phase separation of lithium-containing phases and sodium-containing phases in inorganic intercalation compounds having one-dimensional (1D) olivine crystal structures, which are also referred to herein as hosts. Benefitting from this phase separation, the methods described herein improve the intercalation of lithium ions in the hosts, relative to the intercalation of sodium ions, by pre-seeding the intercalation compounds with lithium to form high-lithium content solid state phases that favor lithium intercalation over sodium intercalation.

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