Lithium recovery from aqueous solution using zirconium-enhanced ion sieve

IF 4.5 2区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL

Advanced Powder Technology Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-19 DOI:10.1016/j.apt.2025.105134

Agyare Asante , Abigail Berardi , Jayla Standin , Elliott Walker , D. Bhagawan , Sandeep Kumar

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Abstract

The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries necessitates the development of sustainable methods for extracting lithium. Geothermal brines offer a promising source of lithium, but their complex ionic composition poses a challenge to selective recovery. Hydrogen manganese oxide (HMO, H₄Mn₅O₁₂) exhibits exceptional lithium selectivity but suffers from structural instability and manganese dissolution during cycling. To address this, zirconium (Zr) was incorporated into the spinel framework, synthesizing Li₄Mn₄.₅Zr₀.₅O₁₂ (LMZO) via single-step calcination (450 °C, 6 h). Acid treatment converted LMZO to H₄Mn₄.₅Zr₀.₅O₁₂ (HMZO), characterized using EDS, SEM, BET, and FTIR. HMZO demonstrated a 35 mg/g lithium adsorption capacity with only 0.78% manganese dissolution. After five adsorption–desorption cycles, it retained a capacity of 25.89 mg/g, highlighting enhanced stability. Kinetic analysis revealed pseudo-second-order adsorption, while equilibrium data fit the Freundlich isotherm, indicating heterogeneous ion exchange. Thermodynamically, the process was endothermic and entropy-driven, with improved performance at higher temperatures. This Zr-stabilized sieve combines high selectivity, minimal manganese loss, and excellent recyclability, offering a sustainable pathway for lithium extraction from geothermal brines and advancing green energy storage.

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锆强化离子筛从水溶液中回收锂

对锂离子电池日益增长的需求要求开发可持续的锂提取方法。地热盐水提供了一个很有前途的锂来源，但其复杂的离子组成对选择性回收提出了挑战。氢锰氧化物（HMO, H4Mn5O12）表现出优异的锂选择性，但在循环过程中存在结构不稳定性和锰溶解问题。为了解决这个问题，我们将锆（Zr）加入尖晶石框架中，通过单步煅烧（450 °C, 6 h）合成了Li4Mn4.5Zr0.5O12 （LMZO）。酸处理将LMZO转化为H4Mn4.5Zr0.5O12 (HMZO)，并用EDS、SEM、BET和FTIR对其进行了表征。HMZO对锂的吸附量为35 mg/g，锰的溶解率仅为0.78%。经过5次吸附-解吸循环后，其吸附容量为25.89 mg/g，稳定性增强。动力学分析显示为准二级吸附，而平衡数据符合Freundlich等温线，表明离子交换是非均相的。热力学上，该过程是吸热和熵驱动的，在更高的温度下性能得到改善。这种锆稳定筛结合了高选择性、最小锰损失和优异的可回收性，为从地热盐水中提取锂提供了可持续的途径，并推进了绿色能源储存。

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来源期刊

Advanced Powder Technology 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

9.50

自引率

7.70%

发文量

424

审稿时长

55 days

期刊介绍： The aim of Advanced Powder Technology is to meet the demand for an international journal that integrates all aspects of science and technology research on powder and particulate materials. The journal fulfills this purpose by publishing original research papers, rapid communications, reviews, and translated articles by prominent researchers worldwide. The editorial work of Advanced Powder Technology, which was founded as the International Journal of the Society of Powder Technology, Japan, is now shared by distinguished board members, who operate in a unique framework designed to respond to the increasing global demand for articles on not only powder and particles, but also on various materials produced from them. Advanced Powder Technology covers various areas, but a discussion of powder and particles is required in articles. Topics include: Production of powder and particulate materials in gases and liquids(nanoparticles, fine ceramics, pharmaceuticals, novel functional materials, etc.); Aerosol and colloidal processing; Powder and particle characterization; Dynamics and phenomena; Calculation and simulation (CFD, DEM, Monte Carlo method, population balance, etc.); Measurement and control of powder processes; Particle modification; Comminution; Powder handling and operations (storage, transport, granulation, separation, fluidization, etc.)