Researchers at a university laboratory have devised a method to strip lithium from ore using ammonium fluoride in aqueous solution. Heating the mixture to 70 °C generates NH4F₂ ions, which release ammonia and bind fluorine to lithium, yielding a water‑based lithium fluoride solution while separating silicon and aluminum compounds.

The aluminum stream undergoes two high‑temperature stages. First, (NH4)3AlF6 is heated to 300 °C, producing aluminum trifluoride, ammonia, and hydrogen fluoride. Raising the temperature to 700 °C converts the trifluoride to aluminum oxide, again liberating hydrogen fluoride, which the process later reconverts into ammonium fluoride for reuse.

Silicon purification proves straightforward. Adding extra ammonia to the (NH4)2SiF6 solution reacts with water, releasing silicon dioxide and regenerating ammonium fluoride. The silica precipitates, offering a low‑cost additive that strengthens concrete, the team demonstrated. Its production rate matches commercial silica outputs, and the additive reduces concrete cracking by up to 30%.

While the technique recycles key reagents and produces high‑purity aluminum oxide—usable in metal production—its energy demands and handling of hazardous hydrogen fluoride raise safety and cost concerns. The method offers a potential route to lithium extraction that balances resource recovery with environmental impact.