3D-printed titanium-based ionic sieve monolithic adsorbent for selective lithium recovery from salt lakes

• Published in: Desalination 2023-08, Vol.560, p.116651, Article 116651
• Main Authors: Yu, Jiangtao, Zhu, Jie, Luo, Guiling, Chen, Linlin, Li, Xiaowei, Cui, Peng, Wu, Peiwen, Chao, Yanhong, Zhu, Wenshuai, Liu, Zhichang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D printing; Adsorption; Direct ink writing; Lithium recovery; Lithium-ion sieve
• ISSN: 0011-9164; 1873-4464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2023.116651

The recovery of lithium from salt lakes through the adsorption strategy has been receiving widespread attention, and titanium-based ion sieves stand out due to their high adsorption capacity and low dissolution loss. The forming of titanium-type lithium-ion sieves (Ti-LIS) is an important step in the application of Ti-LIS for the recovery of lithium from salt-lake brines. Here, the Ti-LIS monolithic adsorbent was developed by the 3D printing strategy for the recovery of lithium from brine. The adsorption properties, compressive strength and rheological properties of 3D printed Ti-LIS monolithic adsorbent were investigated. It was found that the content of Ti-LIS in the monolithic adsorbent prepared by the 3D printing strategy was up to 75 %, and the compressive strength can reach 51 MPa. The 3D-printed monolithic adsorbent has good adsorption performance, selectivity and mechanical properties, showing promising applications for lithium recovery from salt lakes. [Display omitted] •The LIS monolithic adsorbent was realized by 3D printing technology.•The 3D-printed monolithic adsorbent has high mechanical properties.•The 3D-LIS-600 possesses high adsorption capacity and selectivity.