Porous Shaped Lithium Adsorbent for Stable Aqueous Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lithium adsorbents face limitations in tunability, porosity, median pore diameter, and structural stability, leading to inefficiencies in lithium extraction and high raw material costs due to lithium excess.

Innovation Solution

A shaped material with a porosity * median pore diameter > 0.36 nm, composed of a lithium precursor, aluminum precursor, and optionally magnesium precursor, is prepared by co-precipitation, purification, and shaping with a binder to enhance adsorption and desorption efficiency, using low-cost sodium hydroxide instead of lithium hydroxide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lithium adsorbents are developed by incorporation of lithium salts into the template of aluminium hydroxide, then lithium adsorption capacity is achieved, but the tunability of lithium adsorbent is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetunability of lithium adsorbentVSAvoidconstraints of the aluminium hydroxide template

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the template structure (aluminum hydroxide) from the lithium source, allowing the template to be formed first and then infused with lithium salts. This segmentation enables independent optimization of template structure and lithium content, significantly improving tunability while reducing the constraints imposed by the template itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of lithium content and infusion method, allowing lithium salts to be incorporated after template formation rather than during. This parameter change enables continuous adjustment of lithium concentration and distribution, enhancing the adaptability of the adsorbent while maintaining template structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If lithium excess is required to ensure sufficient lithium intercalation into the structure of aluminium hydroxide, then lithium adsorption capacity is improved, but raw materials cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium capacityVSAvoidlithium excess

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary formation of the aluminum hydroxide template structure before lithium infusion. This preliminary action creates a stable framework that can be efficiently filled with lithium salts, ensuring sufficient lithium intercalation without requiring excess lithium beyond what is needed for complete template infusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses aluminum hydroxide as a template that is then copied or replicated with lithium salts infused into its structure. This copying approach allows the lithium distribution to follow the template structure precisely, ensuring complete utilization of lithium without excess, while maintaining the desired adsorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If shaped material with high porosity and median pore diameter is designed, then lithium adsorption efficiency is enhanced, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium adsorption efficiencyVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention deliberately designs the aluminum hydroxide template with controlled porosity and median pore diameter to enhance lithium adsorption efficiency. The porous structure provides pathways for lithium diffusion and increases surface area for adsorption, while the template framework maintains structural stability through its crystalline aluminum hydroxide structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material combining aluminum hydroxide template with infused lithium salts. The aluminum hydroxide provides structural stability and porosity, while the lithium salts provide adsorption capacity. This composite structure achieves both high adsorption efficiency and structural stability through the synergistic combination of template and lithium components.

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 shaped material achieves efficient lithium adsorption and desorption with improved structural stability, reducing lithium excess and production costs while maintaining high permeability and porosity.

Implementation Method 1

shaped material for extracting lithium from a lithium-containing aqueous solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

efficient lithium adsorption and desorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentEP4643989A1Shaped material for extracting lithium from a lithium-containing aqueous solution, method for preparing the same, and method for extracting lithium from a lithium-containing aqueous solution

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SENFI UK

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a shaped material for extracting lithium from a lithium-containing aqueous solution. The invention relates further to a method for preparing said shaped material. The invention relates further to a method for extracting lithium from a lithium-containing aqueous solution using said shaped material. The invention relates further to the use of said shaped material for extracting lithium from a lithium-containing aqueous solution.