HTO/Cellulose Aerogel for Rapid and Highly Selective Li+ Recovery from Seawater

To achieve rapid and highly efficient recovery of Li⁺ from seawater, a series of H₂TiO₃/cellulose aerogels (HTO/CA) with a porous network were prepared by a simple and effective method. The as-prepared HTO/CA were characterized and their Li⁺ adsorption performance was evaluated. The obtained results revealed that the maximum capacity of HTO/CA to adsorb Li⁺ was 28.58 ± 0.71 mg g⁻¹. The dynamic k₂ value indicated that the Li⁺ adsorption rate of HTO/CA was nearly five times that of HTO powder. Furthermore, the aerogel retained extremely high Li⁺ selectivity compared with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺. After regeneration for five cycles, the HTO/CA retained a Li⁺ adsorption capacity of 22.95 mg g⁻¹. Moreover, the HTO/CA showed an excellent adsorption efficiency of 69.93% ± 0.04% and high selectivity to Li⁺ in actual seawater. These findings confirm its potential as an adsorbent for recovering Li⁺ from seawater.     

Highly efficient removal of diazinon pesticide from aqueous solutions by using coconut shell-modified biochar

This study evaluates the adsorption of diazinon from aqueous solutions onto coconut shell-modified biochar using a batch system. The amount of dosage and initial pH are the main parameters being studied to obtain maximum adsorption capacity of the probe molecules. The carbonized coconut shell biochar (BC1), activated coconut shell biochar (BC2), chemically modified phosphoric acid (BC3) and sodium hydroxide coconut shell biochar (BC4) were prepared and tested as variables in the adsorption experiment. The characteristic of biochar via SEM, EDX and BET analysis revealed the large porous of surface morphology and slight changes in the composition with high surface area (405.97 – 508.07 m²/g) by following the sequence of BC3 > BC2 > BC4. Diazinon removal percentage as high as 98.96% was achieved at pH 7 with BC3 as adsorbent dosing at 5.0 g/L. The high coefficient of determination, R² with a small value of ERRSQ and χ² error analysis present the BC1 (0.9971) and BC2 (0.9999) are best fitted with Freundlich isotherm indicates multilayer sorption onto heterogeneous surface whereby the Langmuir isotherm model is the best fitting is described of monolayer adsorption process onto the homogenous surface of BC3 and BC4. The results indicated the maximum adsorption capacity (q_m) was achieved by BC3 with 10.33 mg/g, followed by BC2 (9.65 mg/g) in accordance to the Langmuir isotherm while Freundlich isotherm showed the highest adsorption capacity (k_F) with 1.73 mg/g (L/mg)^1/n followed by BC4 with 0.63 mg/g (L/mg)^1/n at favorable adsorption isotherm (1 ≤ n ≤ 10). Thus, the results obtained depicted that BC2 and BC3 are highly efficient adsorbents and both exhibit great potential in removing diazinon from aqueous solutions.     

Lithium extraction/insertion process on cubic Li-Mn-O precursors with different Li/Mn ratio and morphology

The cubic phase LiMn₂O₄ precursors are prepared by high-temperature calcinations (1003 K) of LiOH⋅H₂O and MnO₂ mixture with Li/Mn molar ratio = 0.55. The Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ precursors are synthesized via low-temperature solid-phase reaction (673 K) of LiNO₃ and MnO₂ mixture with Li/Mn molar ratio = 1.0. The ion-sieves counterparts (named SMO-H and SMO-L, respectively) are obtained by the acid treatment of Li-Mn-O precursors. The structure, chemical stability, morphology, ion-exchange property and mechanism of Li-Mn-O precursors and MnO₂ ion-sieve were systematically examined via X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and lithium ion selective adsorption measurements. The result shows the more compact Mn-O lattice makes the Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ spinel more stable after the Li⁺ is extracted. The results of IR and XPS show adsorption process of SMO-H exists ion-exchange between the Li⁺ and protons, and redox reaction, but only exists ion-exchange between the Li⁺ and protons in SMO-L. Agglomeration is well-improved by low calcination temperature and the morphology of the Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ precursor and final MnO₂ ion-sieve are effectively controlled within low-dimensional structure. The maximum pH titration capacity of SMO-L for Li⁺ is 6.76 mmol⋅g⁻¹, but only 3.47 mmol⋅g⁻¹ for SMO-H. The ion-sieve obtained from Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ precursor is promising in the lithium extraction from brine or seawater.     

球形PVC-MnO2离子筛的制备及锂吸附性能

本实验室前期所制备的Li4Mn5O12超细粉末在卤水体系中对Li+具有较大的吸附容量和良好的选择性。但由于超细粉体的流动性和渗透性差,无法直接应用于固定床,需对粉末吸附材料进行成型造粒,以便于实际应用。本论文采用聚氯乙烯为粘结剂,制备出粒径约为2.0~3.5 mm的球形PVC-Li4Mn5O12,经盐酸处理后得到球形PVC-MnO2离子筛。并通过扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、静态和动态连续锂吸附实验研究了球形离子筛形貌和锂离子吸附性能。结果表明,球形离子筛对Li+的吸附容量高达5.28 mmol.g-1,在混合溶液中对Li+具有良好的选择性,这对于在盐湖卤水或海水提锂具有重要的实用意义。     

Synthesis of PAN/ferrocyanide composite incorporated with cetrimonium bromide and its employment as a bifunctional adsorbent for coremoval of Cs+ and HCrO4− from aqueous solutions

Polyacrylonitrile/ferrocyanide composite incorporated with cetrimonium bromide (PFICB) was synthesized and evaluated as a novel bifunctional adsorbent for coremoval of Cs⁺ and HCrO₄^?. Results of the reaction time effect showed that adsorption of Cs⁺ and HCrO₄^? onto PFICB were rapid processes. The effect of the solution pH in the range 2.5–10 revealed that PFICB had the ability to simultaneously remove Cs⁺ and HCrO₄^?. The maximum adsorption capacity of PFICB was found to be 41.79 mg/g for Cs⁺ and 19.39 mg/g for HCrO₄^?. These values were compared with those reported in literature using other adsorbents.

     

Adsorption of Li by a lithium ion-sieve using a buffer system and application for the recovery of Li from a spent lithium-ion battery

A lithium ion-sieve manganese oxide (MO) derived from Li-enriched MO was prepared by the glycolic acid complexation method. The Li adsorption performance in a LiCl–NH₃·H₂O–NH₄Cl buffer solution, simulated a spent lithium-ion battery (LIB) processing solution, and actual spent LIB processing solution were studied. An adsorption capacity of 27.4 mg/g was observed in the LiCl–NH₃·H₂O–NH₄Cl buffer solution (Li concentration of 0.2 mol/L, pH?=?9), and the adsorption behavior conformed to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation with a linear correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.9996. An adsorption capacity of 19 mg/g was observed in the simulated buffer spent battery solution (Li concentration of 0.15 mol/L, pH?=?7), and an adsorption capacity of 17.8 mg/g was observed in the actual spent battery solution (Li concentration of 0.15 mol/L, pH?=?7). X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and infrared spectrum results revealed that the structure and morphology of MO are stable before and after adsorption, and the adsorption of MO in all of the abovementioned buffer systems conforms to the Li⁺–H⁺ ion-exchange reaction mechanism. The lithium ion-sieve MO demonstrates promise for the recovery of lithium from spent LIBs.     

Lithium transport within the solid electrolyte interphase

A LiClO₄ SEI film grown on copper was examined with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The SEI porosity profile and Li⁺ transport processes within the SEI were studied with isotopically labeled ⁶LiBF₄ electrolyte. An ~ 5 nm porous region, into which electrolytes can easily diffuse, was observed at the electrolyte/SEI interface. Below the porous region, a densely packed layer of Li₂O and/or Li₂CO₃ prevents electrolyte diffusion, but Li⁺ transports through this region via ion exchange.     

Lipase bound cellulose nanofibrous membrane via Cibacron Blue F3GA affinity ligand

Cellulose (Cell) nanofibrous membranes were prepared by nucleophilic reaction of the cellulose hydroxyl with the triazinyl chloride of Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) ligand and studied as affinity membranes for lipase enzyme. Cell nanofibrous membranes containing fibers with 200 nm average diameters were prepared by electrospinning of cellulose acetate (CA), followed by alkaline hydrolysis. The CB capacity of the Cell nanofibrous membranes was optimized by lengthening the nucleophilic reaction time and increasing CB concentration and ionic strength. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms of CB on the Cell nanofibrous membranes followed a typical Langmuir monolayer adsorption behavior. At 242 mg CB/g of Cell, the maximum lipase adsorption capacity (q_m) and the dissociation constant (K_d) values were 41.02 mg/g and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. Optimal lipase adsorption capacity was obtained at pH 4.0, its isoelectric point, with added NaCl on Cell membranes 86 mg CB capacity per g of Cell. A facile lipase loading capacity of 16.21 mg/g of CB–Cell was achieved under moderated conditions and could be optimized to reach at least 150 mg/g. The CB–Cell bound lipase had similar catalytic rate and retained 86.2% activity as in its free form. These findings clearly show that the CB bound Cell nanofibrous membrane is a highly efficient ultra-high specific porous support for lipase enzyme and is potentially versatile for immobilizing other enzymes and as affinity membrane for proteins.     

Layer-By-Layer (LBL) hybrid MOF coating for graphene-based multilayer composite: Synthesis and application as anode for lithium ion batteries

The hybrid anodic materials with high porosity and low charge resistance exhibit high specific capacity and stable cyclic stability for lithium ion battery (LIBs). For this purpose, three-dimensional hollow material, metal organic framework (MOF-199) was coated over the active surface of oxidized derivative of graphene (Graphene oxide, GO), via layer-by-layer (LBL) coating method. Cupric acetate and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid [Cu₃(BTC)₂], were alternatively coated on the active surface of GO as an anode material, to enhance the structural diversity and reduce the synergistic effect of insertion and extraction of Li⁺ ions for LIBs. Sharp absorption peaks from 1620 cm⁻¹ to 1360 cm⁻¹ and intense ring bends ∼1000 cm⁻¹ was identified through FTIR. Powder XRD provides the evidence for size reduction of Cu₃(BTC)₂@GO composite (32.6 nm) comparative to GO (43.7 nm). Outcome of EIS analysis shows the charge transfer resistance of simple GO is 2410 Ω, which is 4 times higher than R_ct of Cu₃(BTC)₂@GO composite (590 Ω). Similarly the Warburg impedance co-efficient for simple GO (448.8 Ωs^−1/2) is also higher than A_w of Cu₃(BTC)₂@GO composite (77.64 Ωs^−1/2). The synthesized material show high initial charge/discharge capacity, 1200/1420 mAh/g with 85% Coulombic efficiency and reversible discharge capacity, 1296 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 100 mA/g current density. The 98.9% Coulombic efficiency and 91% retaining capacity of composite at 100th cycle with cyclic stability, provides the phenomenon approach towards the rechargeable LIBs for industrial technology.     

Synthesis of LiAlTiO4 and its selectivity to Li+ exchange

The ion-exchanger LiAlTiO₄ of spinel type was prepared by the common precipitation/hydrothermal crystallization method, and was acid-modified. Its ion-exchange properties for alkali ions such as saturation capacity of exchange, distribution coefficient and pH titration curve were determined. LiAlTiO₄ was characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. The acid treatment of LiAlTiO₄ caused Li⁺ extraction ratio to change from 28% to 72%, while the dissolution of Al is less than 6.8%. This inorganic ion-exchanger (LiAlTiO₄-700) has a higher saturation capacity of exchange for Li than for other alkali ions, the saturation capacity of exchange for Li⁺ reaches 4.29 mmol/g (30.03 mg/g); LiAlTiO₄-700(H) has a higher selectivity of ion exchange for Li⁺ than for other alkali ions. These results show LiAlTiO₄-700(H) has better memory and selectivity of ion exchange, and higher capacity of ion exchange for Li⁺. It is a kind of prospective ionic sieve for Li⁺. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2005, 22 (7) (in Chinese)