Researchers Extracted Potassium and Rubidium From Microcline
A new hydrothermal alkaline process demonstrates high-efficiency recovery of alkali metals from mineral sources.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Chemistry
Researchers have successfully extracted potassium and rubidium from rubidium-rich microcline using a hydrothermal alkaline process. The study, published in September 2026, reports high recovery efficiencies for both metals.
Why it matters
The process offers a new pathway for the integrated utilization of feldspar resources by simultaneously recovering potassium and isolating rubidium. This method addresses the need for more efficient extraction techniques in industrial mineral processing.
The researchers achieved 93.0% potassium extraction and 90.56% rubidium extraction efficiency. These results were confirmed using a hydrothermal alkaline decomposition process with KOH and Ca(OH) as combined additives.
The players
Researchers
A scientific team investigating chemical extraction methods for feldspar-based mineral resources.
The details
The team investigated the hydrothermal alkaline decomposition of rubidium-rich microcline—a common potassium-bearing mineral. By using potassium hydroxide (KOH) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)) as additives, the researchers forced the mineral to release its alkali metals into an alkaline solution. During the reaction, tobermorite—a calcium silicate hydrate mineral—formed as the primary solid-phase byproduct, effectively separating the desired metals from the mineral matrix.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: The research findings were formally published.
The Tech Race
This research provides a potential pathway for the integrated utilization of feldspar resources. It advances the field by moving toward more efficient extraction benchmarks compared to existing industrial mineral processing standards.
This development represents a research-stage chemical process that does not yet affect commercial mineral prices or supply chains. Industrial stakeholders in mineral processing should watch for future pilot-scale testing of the KOH and Ca(OH) method.
The takeaway
The study successfully demonstrates that hydrothermal alkaline processing can effectively isolate rubidium from potassium-bearing minerals. Readers should track upcoming research for data on the process's energy requirements and cost-effectiveness at larger scales.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in materials science, visit Chemistry.
More information
View the full report via scientific research article access.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.
