A method of producing phosphoric acid from at least one mineral containing phosphate and an element which is calcium, magnesium, iron, or aluminum. The method includes contacting the at least one mineral (or a combination of them) with a cation exchanger for a time and at a temperature sufficient to yield phosphoric acid from the mineral.

A method of producing phosphoric acid from at least one mineral containing phosphate and an element which is calcium, magnesium, iron, or aluminum. The method includes contacting the at least one mineral (or a combination of them) with a cation exchanger for a time and at a temperature sufficient to yield phosphoric acid from the mineral.

The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from minerals, and recycled products.

The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from minerals, and recycled products.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for sequestering heavy metal atoms, including hazardous atoms such as lead and radiocesium, from contaminated areas. The heavy metal atoms may be removed by contacting the contaminated area with a potassium-depleted muscovite-enriched composition. The compositions may also be incorporated into building materials to create structures to safely house nuclear reactors and other devices which may accidentally release heavy metal atoms.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for sequestering heavy metal atoms, including hazardous atoms such as lead and radiocesium, from contaminated areas. The heavy metal atoms may be removed by contacting the contaminated area with a potassium-depleted muscovite-enriched composition. The compositions may also be incorporated into building materials to create structures to safely house nuclear reactors and other devices which may accidentally release heavy metal atoms.

A porous separator for a lithium-containing electrochemical cell is provided herein. The porous separator includes a porous substrate and an active layer comprising lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles. Methods of manufacturing the porous separator and lithium-containing electrochemical cells including the porous separator are also provided herein.

A porous separator for a lithium-containing electrochemical cell is provided herein. The porous separator includes a porous substrate and an active layer comprising lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles. Methods of manufacturing the porous separator and lithium-containing electrochemical cells including the porous separator are also provided herein.

A sorbent cartridge device includes an ion-exchange material containing zirconium phosphate and no more than about 0.1 mg of leachable phosphate ions per about 1 g of the ion-exchange material. In one example, the cartridge also includes a phosphate-adsorbing material containing zirconium oxide. In this example, the weight ratio between zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide in the cartridge is from about 10:1 to about 40:1. The zirconium phosphate may be alkaline zirconium phosphate prepared by a process including the following steps: (i) drying acid zirconium phosphate to obtain a dry acid zirconium phosphate; (ii) combining the dry acid zirconium phosphate with an aqueous solution to obtain an aqueous slurry; and (iii) combining the slurry with an alkali hydroxide to obtain the alkaline zirconium phosphate. During step (ii), any free phosphate ions in the dry acid zirconium phosphate leach out into the aqueous phase of the slurry.

A sorbent cartridge device includes an ion-exchange material containing zirconium phosphate and no more than about 0.1 mg of leachable phosphate ions per about 1 g of the ion-exchange material. In one example, the cartridge also includes a phosphate-adsorbing material containing zirconium oxide. In this example, the weight ratio between zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide in the cartridge is from about 10:1 to about 40:1. The zirconium phosphate may be alkaline zirconium phosphate prepared by a process including the following steps: (i) drying acid zirconium phosphate to obtain a dry acid zirconium phosphate; (ii) combining the dry acid zirconium phosphate with an aqueous solution to obtain an aqueous slurry; and (iii) combining the slurry with an alkali hydroxide to obtain the alkaline zirconium phosphate. During step (ii), any free phosphate ions in the dry acid zirconium phosphate leach out into the aqueous phase of the slurry.