Structural/surficial dual regulated granular H2TiO3 lithium-ion sieves for lithium extraction from salt lake brine

H2TiO3 (HTO) is recognized as a highly promising lithium-ion sieve (LIS) material for lithium resources extraction from the liquid phase, attributed to its high theoretical capacity, stable structure, and excellent recyclability. However, when directly employed in continuous flow systems, the powder HTO-LIS encounters significant challenges, including elevated energy consumption and persistent material loss, impeding its practical application. Therefore, it is necessary to granulate the powder LIS material, which nevertheless results in the reduction of the specific capacity and Li extraction rate. Herein, a hybrid binder (cellulose acetate/sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/poly(vinyl chloride)) is employed for granulation and immobilization of the powder HTO-LIS. This approach regulates the porosity structure, hydrophilicity, surface charge character, and mechanical strength of the granulated LIS, thereby synergistically enhancing Li extraction capacity (26.54 mg g−1), recovery kinetics (19.02 mg g−1 within 4 h), and dynamic cycling stability (adsorption capacity retention of 94.02% after 40 cycles). This work proposes a feasible granulation strategy, contributing to advance the industrialization of LIS materials.