Use of Lithium Manganese Oxide Ion Sieves in Fixed Bed Columns for Lithium Recovery: A Mini-Review

Abstract

The surging demand for lithium, driven by the growing interest in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, has underscored the need for sustainable lithium sources. However, lithium’s limited natural abundance in specific geological regions has led to increased exploration of secondary sources, notably seawater, geothermal waters, and boron ore waste, as potential lithium reservoirs. Among various recovery methods for lithium, sorption has gained prominence for its cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness. Among the sorption configurations, fixed bed column sorption stands out as a practical and scalable approach, particularly suitable for industrial applications. However, research in the field of fixed bed column sorption for lithium recovery remains relatively scarce. MnO2 is a commonly favored choice as the adsorbent material due to its unique lattice structure, which facilitates the rapid catching of lithium ions. This review aims to shed light on the feasibility of lithium enrichment or recovery using fixed bed columns, elucidating the interaction mechanism between MnO2 and lithium, and exploring the relevance of mathematical models beyond classical sorption models. It underscores the importance of these studies in advancing sustainable lithium sourcing and the development of efficient sorption-based technologies.