Solid-State Synthesized Titanium-Based Lithium Ion Sieve Stabilized by Crab Shell Chitosan for Durable and Efficient Lithium Recovery
摘要
This study investigates the development and optimization of chitosan-stabilized titanium-based lithium-ion sieves (Ti-CH LIS) for lithium extraction from aqueous media. A solid-state reaction method was employed, with calcination temperature and chitosan-to-gelatin ratio optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Analytical techniques, including XRD, SEM, FTIR, ICP, and PSA, confirmed the successful formation of highly crystalline Li2TiO3 with improved porosity and particle dispersion resulting from the incorporation of chitosan. The optimal material, synthesized at 850°C with a 1:1 chitosan-to-gelatin ratio, achieved a lithium adsorption capacity of 64.04 mg/g within 24 h, only slightly lower than the 68.08 mg/g observed in unmodified LIS. Despite the minor reduction in capacity, chitosan significantly improved adsorption kinetics and minimized particle agglomeration. Stability tests showed that Ti-CH LIS maintained over 92% of its adsorption capacity after ten cycles, with titanium leaching below 1.3%, indicating superior durability compared to the unmodified counterpart. Statistical analysis confirmed calcination temperature as the most critical factor influencing performance. Overall, Ti-CH LIS demonstrates great potential as a robust and efficient adsorbent for lithium recovery in complex aqueous systems, particularly geothermal brines.