Synthesis of Lithiophorite in High Alkaline Conditions

Lithiophorite consists of alternatively stacked MnO₆ octahedral sheets and LiAl₂(OH)₆ octahedral sheets. Its applications in laboratories and industries have been hindered by sophisticated operation procedures, long reaction time, or impurities existing in the final product. We proposed a fast and simple method, mixing birnessite, aluminate and lithium hydroxide together (designated it as the BAL method) in high alkaline conditions (pH > 13), and treating it hydrothermally at 423 K for 6 hours to prepare pure lithiophorite. A specific reaction between lithium cations and aluminate anions plays as a key role in the BAL method. Due to this specific reaction, Li_xAl_n(OH)_m^+z complexed cations can form and penetrate into interlayers of birnessite to replace sodium cations. In high alkaline conditions (pH > 12), Li_xAl_n(OH)_m^+z complexed cations become smaller and are soluble. Thus, the higher alkaline Li_xAl_n(OH)_m^+z complexed cations can penetrate into interlayers of birnessite at a higher rate. Furthermore, impurities, such as lithium intercalated gibbsite (LIG), aluminum oxyhydroxides and aluminum hydroxides are not stable in high alkaline conditions. Consequently, pure lithiophorite can be easily obtained within 6 hours in high alkaline conditions.