Granular Titanium Lithium Ion Sieve with Porous Template Granulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion sieve powders have high adsorption capacity but face challenges in industrial use due to difficulties in separation and filtration, leading to reduced adsorption capacity when granulated, as the specific surface area decreases significantly.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing a high-adsorption-capacity granular titanium-based lithium ion sieve adsorbent through slurry granulation, involving steps like mixing lithium and titanium sources, adding a dispersant and pore-forming agents, followed by microwave sintering, grinding, and molding by water bath solidification or vacuum drying, to create a hydrophilic adsorbent with high porosity and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional methods (ammonium fluorosulfonate + TiCl4 hydrolysis) are used to prepare lithium ion sieve, then the basic framework is formed, but the adsorption capacity is low due to collapsed pore structure and insufficient surface area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption capacityVSAvoidpore structure integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a porous template (such as colloidal silica or foam glass) before the hydrolysis and sintering processes. This template pre-establishes the desired pore structure, preventing collapse during subsequent processing steps. The template is removed after the framework is formed, leaving behind a stable porous structure with high surface area and improved adsorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes porous materials by incorporating a template agent that creates a controlled porous structure within the lithium ion sieve framework. This porous structure increases the specific surface area and provides additional adsorption sites, directly addressing the low adsorption capacity issue while maintaining structural integrity through the template-guided formation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Strength

If high sintering temperature is applied to form dense structure, then mechanical strength improves, but pore structure collapses and adsorption sites are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidadsorption sites
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the pore structure using a template before sintering. This ensures that the pore architecture is established prior to high-temperature treatment, allowing the material to maintain its porous structure even after sintering at temperatures that would otherwise cause collapse. The template acts as a structural guide during the sintering process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the sintering temperature and holding time based on the specific template used. Rather than using excessively high temperatures that cause collapse, the process parameters are carefully controlled to achieve sufficient mechanical strength while preserving the pore structure. The template removal temperature is also optimized to ensure complete removal without damaging the framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional hydrolysis method is used, then the synthesis process is simple, but the pore structure collapses and surface area is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynthesis process simplicityVSAvoidspecific surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a template agent as an intermediary substance during the hydrolysis process. This template mediates the formation of the pore structure by occupying space that will later become pores. The template is easily incorporated into the conventional hydrolysis process and removed after sintering, adding minimal complexity while dramatically increasing the specific surface area and preventing pore collapse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If insufficient sintering is applied, then pore structure is maintained, but mechanical strength and structural stability are inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepore structure preservationVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the pore structure through template incorporation before sintering. This pre-formed structure provides a structural framework that guides the sintering process, allowing the material to achieve adequate mechanical strength and stability without excessive sintering that would collapse the pores. The template ensures structural integrity is maintained throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining the lithium ion sieve framework with the template material during formation. This composite approach allows the template to provide structural support during sintering, enabling the final product to achieve both adequate mechanical strength and preserved pore structure after template removal. The composite formation process ensures uniform distribution and strong bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting granular adsorbent exhibits high lithium adsorption capacity, fast adsorption-desorption rates, low solution loss, and long cycle life, with improved filterability and scrubbing efficiency, suitable for large-scale industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

TiCl4 hydrolysis method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

ammonium fluorosulfonate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

lithium ion sieve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP4306667A1Method for preparing granular titanium-based lithium ion sieve adsorbent having high adsorption capacity
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 CHENGDU CHEMPHYS CHEM IND
  • EP4306667A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4306667A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4306667A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a preparation method for a high-adsorption-capacity granular titanium-based lithium ion sieve adsorbent. The method includes the following steps: step 1, preparing titanium-based lithium ion sieve precursor powder; step 2, preparing high-adsorption-capacity granular titanium-based lithium ion sieve adsorbent: 1) pretreatment of precursor powder; 2) preparing a composite adhesive; 3) doping, blending and homogenizing; 4) molding and granulating; and 5) eluting and replacing. The granular adsorbent prepared according to the present invention has relatively high porosity, shows good suspension property when being used for extracting lithium from salt lake brine or simulated brine, and is high in adsorption-desorption rate and high in lithium extraction activity; the lithium ion selectivity and the elution rate can reach 95% or above; the granular adsorbent is stable in structure, low in solution loss and long in cycle service life; the molding and granulating process of the granular adsorbent is simple and easy to control, and industrialization is easy to realize.