Purification of vanadium-bearing solutions: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The demand for high-purity vanadium is projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, driven by its critical role in various industries, such as energy storage, steel manufacturing, and catalysts. Ensuring the purity of vanadium from hydrometallurgical processes is crucial to maintaining the high quality required for these applications. This review examines the most recent advancements in purification techniques used to separate vanadium from complex solutions, with a particular focus on ion exchange resins, solvent extraction, and chemical precipitation. Key intrinsic factors influencing the selection of these methods, including solution composition, pH, and the presence of competing ions, are discussed in detail. Additionally, the review highlights the fundamental principles underlying each purification approach, offering a comparison of their efficiency, selectivity, and scalability. The challenges associated with each method are also explored, particularly those related to operational costs and environmental sustainability. Recent research efforts aimed at improving these techniques, such as the development of more selective adsorbents and the integration of greener technologies, are examined to provide a comprehensive outlook on the future of vanadium purification. This work aims to serve as a guide for researchers and industry professionals working toward more efficient and sustainable purification processes for vanadium.