About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advances in Recycling and Environmental Technologies
|
| Presentation Title |
Closing the Loop: Enhanced Lithium Adsorption Using Zeolite X Synthesized from Spodumene Tailings |
| Author(s) |
Tseveenkhuu Darinchuluun, Hong Peng, James Vaughan, John Vogrin |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Tseveenkhuu Darinchuluun |
| Abstract Scope |
Lithium extraction from spodumene processing generates significant amounts of aluminosilicate tailings. This study demonstrates a novel “closing the loop” approach by synthesizing high-performance zeolite X from lithium spodumene tailings and subsequently utilizing it for lithium adsorption. Our efficient two step fusion-hydrothermal method yielded highly crystalline zeolite X under 3 hours in a template-free, additional Si-source free condition. The resulting synthetic zeolite X exhibited significantly superior properties comparable to commercial zeolite X. Batch adsorption experiments revealed this synthetic zeolite X achieved high adsorption capacity for lithium ions from aqueous solutions. This research presents a sustainable pathway to transform industrial waste into valuable adsorbents, offering an eco-friendly, economically viable, and simplified strategy for both tailings management and efficient lithium recovery, thereby fostering a more circular lithium supply chain. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |
| Keywords |
Hydrometallurgy, Recycling and Secondary Recovery, Sustainability |