Recovery of lithium from seawater using manganese oxide adsorbent (H1.6Mn1.6O4) derived from Li1.6Mn1.6O4

Manganese oxide adsorbent (H1.6Mn1.6O4) was synthesized from precursor Li1.6Mn1.6O4 that was obtained by heating LiMnO2 at 400 degreesC. LiMnO2 was prepared by two methods: hydrothermal and reflux. The crystallite size of Li1.6Mn1.6O4 and its delithiated product; was slightly higher by the hydrothermal method as compared to the reflux method. The adsorbents prepared by the two methods were compared in terms of physical characteristics and lithium adsorption from seawater. The maximum uptake of lithium from seawater by the adsorbent was 40 mg/g, which is the maximum value among the adsorbents studied to date.