Xiaoqi Xu, Chentao He, Liuyin Xia
The principles of salting-out and solventing-out have been established for more than 50 years. Due to advantages, such as reduced energy consumption, enhanced selectivity, and better control over crystal morphology, solvent-driven crystallization (also known as antisolvent or fractional crystallization) has been widely used in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. However, its application in hydrometallurgical processing remains in its early stages. In recent years, researchers have begun exploring its potential for broader hydrometallurgical applications. This review explores the fundamental principles of solvent-driven crystallization and summarizes its current applications in industrial salts, rare earth element (REE) recovery, and lithium compound production. Studies on the effectiveness of various antisolvents and operational conditions, such as addition methods, solvent-to-aqueous phase ratios, and control strategies, are comprehensively reviewed. Key challenges are also discussed, including crystal size constraints, scalability limitations, and antisolvent inclusion. Finally, future research directions are proposed to optimize solvent selection, process control, and industrial scalability. This review provides a comprehensive reference for researchers and industry professionals seeking energy-efficient alternatives to conventional crystallization techniques in critical mineral recovery.