Conversion of Lithium Chloride into Lithium Hydroxide by Solvent Extraction

Abstract A hydrometallurgical process is described for conversion of an aqueous solution of lithium chloride into an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide via a chloride/hydroxide anion exchange reaction by solvent extraction. The organic phase comprises a quaternary ammonium chloride and a hydrophobic phenol in a diluent. The best results were observed for a mixture of the quaternary ammonium chloride Aliquat 336 and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (1:1 molar ratio) in the aliphatic diluent Shellsol D70. The solvent extraction process involves two steps. In the first step, the organic phase is contacted with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The phenol is deprotonated, and a chloride ion is simultaneously transferred to the aqueous phase, leading to in situ formation of a quaternary ammonium phenolate in the organic phase. The organic phase, comprising the quaternary ammonium phenolate, is contacted in the second step with an aqueous lithium chloride solution. This contact converts the phenolate into the corresponding phenol by protonation with water extracted to the organic phase, followed by a transfer of hydroxide ions to the aqueous phase and chloride ions to the organic phase. As a result, the aqueous lithium chloride solution is transformed into a lithium hydroxide solution. The process has been demonstrated in continuous counter-current mode in mixer–settlers. Solid battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate was obtained from the aqueous solution by crystallization or by antisolvent precipitation with isopropanol. The process consumes no chemicals other than sodium hydroxide. No waste is generated, with the exception of an aqueous sodium chloride solution. Graphical Abstract