Insights into lithium adsorption by coal-bearing strata kaolinite

doi:10.1007/s11707-022-0989-y

Front. Earth Sci.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (1) : 251-261 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-022-0989-y

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Insights into lithium adsorption by coal-bearing strata kaolinite

Yu CHEN, Hao ZHAO, Mingzhe XIA(

), Hongfei CHENG(

)

School of Earth Science and Resources, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, China

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Abstract

The sharp increase in the demand for lithium (Li) for high-energy-storage battery materials due to its high specific energy and low negative chemical potential render Li a geopolitically significant resource. It is urgent to develop a low-cost, efficient method to improve lithium extraction. Herein, Li ion (Li⁺) adsorption in coal-bearing strata kaolinite (CSK) was studied. The effects of pre-activation acid leaching (meta-kaolinite/H₂SO₄, MK-HS) and dimethyl sulfoxide intercalation (coal-bearing strata kaolinite/dimethyl sulfoxide, CSK-DMSO) on the Li⁺ adsorption capacity were studied under the same adsorption conditions. The results indicated that the adsorption was completed in 60 min under alkaline conditions (pH = 8.5), a high solution concentration (400 mg/L), and a low dosage (1 g/100 mL); and the comprehensive adsorption capacity is MK-HS > CSK-DMSO > CSK. Furthermore, the DMSO intercalation caused the interlayer spacing of the CSK to increase, which provided more space for Li⁺ to enter and increase the adsorption capacity. After thermal pre-activation and acid leaching, structural failure and lattice collapse resulted in the presence of more micropores in the MK-HS, which resulted in a 10-fold increase in its specific surface area and caused coordination bond changes (Al(VI) to Al(IV)) and leaching of aluminum (Al) from the lattice. It is proposed that these structural changes greatly improve the activity of CSK so that Li⁺ cannot only adsorb onto the surface and between the layers but can also enter the lattice defects, which results in the MK-HS having the best adsorption performance. Combined with the adsorption kinetics analysis, the adsorption methods of CSK and two modified materials include physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. In this study, the adsorption capacity of CSK and its modified products to Li were explored, providing a new option for the reuse of CSK and the extraction of Li.

Keywords coal-bearing strata kaolinite lithium adsorption modification

Corresponding Author(s): Mingzhe XIA,Hongfei CHENG

About author:

^* These authors contributed equally to this work.

Online First Date: 28 October 2022 Issue Date: 03 July 2023

Cite this article:

Yu CHEN,Hao ZHAO,Mingzhe XIA, et al. Insights into lithium adsorption by coal-bearing strata kaolinite[J]. Front. Earth Sci., 2023, 17(1): 251-261.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/10.1007/s11707-022-0989-y
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/Y2023/V17/I1/251

Tab.1 Chemical compositions of CSK

Fig.1 (a) XRD patterns and (b) FTIR spectra of the CSK, CSK-DMSO, MK-500, MK-600, and MK-HS.

Fig.2 SEM images of (a) CSK, (b) MK-600, (c) MK-HS, and (d) CSK-DMSO, and EDS patterns of (e) CSK-DMSO and (f) MK-HS.

Fig.3 (a) Nitrogen adsorption-desorption curves, (b) and (c) DFT pore size distribution curves of different adsorbents.

Tab.2 Pore structure properties of CSK, CSK-DMSO, MK-500, MK-600 and MK-HS

Fig.4 Zeta potentials of the CSK, CSK-DMSO, and MK-HS at pH values of 1–8.

Fig.5 Effects of the (a) initial concentration, (b) contact time, (c) different doses of adsorbents, and (d) initial pH of hte solution on the adsorption of Li⁺ by the CSK, CSK-DMSO, and MK-HS.

Fig.6 (a) Pseudo-first-order and (b) pseudo-second-order dynamics models of Li⁺ adsorption on the CSK, CSK-DMSO, and MK-HS.

Tab.3 Kinetic parameters for Li⁺ adsorption at different adsorbents

Fig.7 Stick models and possible Li⁺ adsorption mechanisms for the CSK, CSK-DMSO, and MK-HS.

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