Selective Separation of Lithium, Magnesium and Calcium using 4-Phosphoryl Pyrazolones as pH-Regulated Receptors

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Ensuring continuous and sustainable lithium supply requires the development of highly efficient separation processes such as LLE (liquid-liquid extraction) for both primary sources and certain waste streams. In this work, 4-phosphoryl pyrazolones are used in an efficient pH-controlled stepwise separation of Li+ from Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+. The factors affecting LLE process, such as the substitution pattern of the extractant, diluent/water distribution, co-ligand, pH, and speciation of the metal complexes involved, were systematically investigated. The maximum extraction efficiency of Li+ at pH 6.0 was 94 % when Mg2+ and Ca2+ were previously separated at pH<5.0, proving that the separation of these ions is possible by simply modulating the pH of the aqueous phase. Our study points a way to separation of lithium from acid brine or from spent lithium ion battery leaching solutions, which supports the future supply of lithium in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202216011
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume62
Issue number13
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85147111197
Mendeley 1442ab62-c436-3b3a-9cf4-6b2c31b22c26
ORCID /0000-0001-7323-7816/work/142257483

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • 4-Phosphoryl Pyrazolone Ligands, Ca/Mg/Li Separation, Di- and Trinuclear Complexes, pH-Regulated Receptors, Separation Science