Simple and Rapid Preparation of MIL-121 with Small Particles for Lithium Adsorption from Brine

A novel method to generate an aluminum-based MOF material named as MIL-121 was investigated. MIL-121, [Al(OH)(H2BTEC)·(H2O)]n is a prototypal aluminum with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid (BTEC) linkers, which normally produced by the hydrothermal method. Different from method, developed does not involve high temperature and pressure, instead traditional cooling crystallization at ambient pressure low below 100 °C. The obtained possesses same lithium adsorption performance that but lower energy consumption more environmentally friendly. Compared this has advantage be scaled up industrialized production. formation mechanism of in including nucleation growth process crystal studied. results indicated size morphology crystals were influenced additives, respectively. As reaction increased °C, operation time can shortened 2–5 h. habit predicted Material studio software using BFDH, model for prediction proposed Bravais, Friedel, Donnay, Harker based on lattice parameters symmetry Morphology module, simulated accord products crystallization. thermal stability better than