Cross-Linked Phosphorylated Cellulose as a Potential Sorbent for Lithium Extraction from Water: Dynamic Column Studies and Modeling

Abstract

Phosphorylated functional cellulose was cross-linked with epichlorohydrin at different ratios because it is a very hydrophilic substance that instantly swells to form a hydrogel when it comes into contact with water. It was aimed to utilize a continuously packed bed column to recover lithium from water under varying operating conditions such as flow rate and bed height. The characterization results confirmed cross-linking based on morphology, structure, surface area, and thermal stability differences. Lithium recovery was more efficient with a low flow rate, but the dynamic sorption process was independent of bed height. The total capacities at the three flow rates with 1.5 cm bed height were 33.56, 30.15, and 25.54 mg g-1, and the total saturation times at the three different bed heights with 0.5 mL min-1 flow rate were 659, 1001, and 1007 min, respectively. Only 15.75 mL of 5% H2SO4 solution was required to desorb approximately 100% of Li from the saturated sorbent.