Single step synthesis of a magnesium doped lithium manganese oxide ion sieve nanomaterial and a SPES/ion sieve composite membrane for the separation of lithium

Magnesium doped lithium manganese oxide nanostructured ion sieve materials are prepared through a single step solid state reaction and characterized with appropriate analytical techniques. The effect of the doping metal precursor concentration on the lattice constant and the amount of manganese oxide formed as an impurity phase is described. The Li adsorption/desorption characteristics of these nanostructured ion sieves are evaluated and their separation favorability is determined using Langmuir isotherm analysis. Acid based desorption is an efficient and widely used method but acid causes environmental pollution as well as dissolution of the matrix metal and disintegration of the adsorbent. To get rid of acid treatment during lithium recovery SPES/ion sieve composite membranes are prepared, and their efficiency in the recovery of lithium by electrodialysis experiments is presented.