Production of Battery Grade Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate Using Barium Hydroxide Causticizing Agent

Abstract

Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH⋅H2O) is a crucial precursor for the production of lithium-ion battery cathode material. In this work, a process for LiOH⋅H2O production using barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2) from lithium sulfate (Li2SO4) (leachate of lithium mineral ores) solution is developed. The effect of operating parameters including reagent type, initial reactant concentration and reaction temperature are investigated. Under the best conditions, more than 90% of the lithium in the initial concentrated Li2SO4 solution is converted to solid LiOH⋅H2O with 99.6% purity in a one-step sonication assisted process. Additional lithium recovery and purification steps are proposed to improve this process. The by-product of the process is barium sulfate (BaSO4), which can be directly sold or used to reproduce the initial Ba(OH)2 reagent and is proved to be feasible in this study. Technoeconomic analysis of the process indicates that it is economically viable. It is expected this study would help the lithium industry improve the production of high quality LiOH⋅H2O from lithium resources in a sustainable and efficient manner.