The key factors and mechanism study on lithium extraction by TBP-FeCl3 extraction system

The key factors and mechanism of lithium extraction using tributyl phosphate(TBP) as extractant, kerosene as diluent, and FeCl3 as co-extractant were investigated. The theoretical Raman spectra of FeCl3 and FeCl4- were calculated by DFT. The key factors MgCl2, FeCl3 and TBP were studied. The results suggested the increase of MgCl2 concentration was conducive to extraction lithium and the influence of Cl- was greater than Mg2+. Fe3+ and Cl- were the optimal central ions and ligands for the formation of monovalent anions. The concentration of TBP should not too much for improving the separation effect of Li+ and Mg2+.