Abstract
This study investigated a novel membrane solvent extraction (MSX) process for the recovery and separation of lithium (Li) from clay minerals using a cation exchange organic extractant [di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid] (DEHPA). The Li is selectively extracted from clay mineral leachate solution using highly efficient aluminum hydroxide sorbents to form lithium aluminum double hydroxide sulfate (LDH sulfate) as the precipitate. Several delithiation methods have been explored to separate Li from aluminum (Al). LDH sulfate is dissolved in dilute H2SO4 and used as the feed solution, and DEHPA is used to selectively separate Li and Al from the feed solution. The MSX process immobilizes DEHPA in the microporous membrane pores and continuously removes Al from the feed solution to obtain pure Li. The efficiency of DEHPA for the selective separation of Li from Al is determined by measuring its distribution coefficient. This study used the optimum feed solution pH of 3, strip solution concentration of 2 mol/L H2SO4, and an organic phase composition of 30% v/v DEHPA in Isopar-L. The MSX process achieved a Li yield of about 92% and a purity of ⩾ 94%. The results suggest that the innovative MSX technology is a time- and energy-efficient approach for the recovery and separation of high-purity Li for application in Li-ion batteries and other clean energy technologies.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 46523-46527 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | ACS Omega |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 49 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 12 2023 |
Funding
This work is supported by the Critical Materials Institute (CMI), an Energy Innovation Hub funded by the US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office. Part of the lithium extraction research was performed through the Re-Cell Center, which gratefully acknowledges support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the Vehicle Technologies Office. This manuscript has been authored in part by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE).
Funders | Funder number |
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Critical Materials Institute | |
US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office | |
U.S. Department of Energy | |
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy | DE-AC05-00OR22725 |