Crystallization of battery-grade lithium carbonate with high recovery rate via solid-liquid reaction

Lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3 ) stands as a pivotal raw material within the lithium-ion battery industry. Hereby, we propose a solid-liquid reaction crystallization method, employing powdered sodium carbonate instead of its solution, which minimizes the water introduction and markedly elevates one-step lithium recovery rate. Through kinetic calculations , the Li 2 CO 3 solid-liquid reaction crystallization process conforms by the Avrami equation rather than shrinking core model, which means the dissolution rate of Na 2 CO 3 is the most important factor affecting the reaction process. The effects of reaction conditions such as temperature and stirring speed on the Li 2 CO 3 precipitation behavior were evaluated. The results indicated that temperature is a most essential parameter than other reaction conditions or stirring speed. The exceptional 93% recovery of Li 2 CO 3 at 90 °C with a remarkable purity of 99.5% was achieved by using 1.2 M ratio of Na 2 CO 3 /Li 2 SO 4 . This method provides a new idea for the efficient preparation of battery-grade Li 2 CO 3 .