Synthesis and Properties of Lithium Ion-sieve Precursor Li4Mn5O12

Adsorption method is the most promising method for extraction of lithium from salt lakes. A new kind of MnO2 ion-sieves with high Li + selective adsorption property were synthesized. Spinel-type Li4Mn5O12 precursors were synthesized by EDTA-citrate complexing method using LiNO3 and Mn(NO3)2·4H2O as starting materials. MnO2 ion-sieves with Li + selective adsorption property were prepared by the acid treatment process to extract Li + from the spinel Li4Mn5O12 precursors. As-prepared samples were characterized by thermo gravimetric, XRD, SEM, FT-IR and Li + selective adsorption measurements, respectively. The results show that calcination time has a consid- erable effect on the structure and composition of precursors. The precursor calcined at 400℃ for 24 h has a pure phase of Li4Mn5O12. Final MnO2 ion-sieve and Li4Mn5O12 precursor are about 200 nm spherical pellets and have the same structure of spinel. The maximum adsorption capacity of ion-sieve is about 43.1 mg/g and has the good selec- tion for Li