Exemplary layered double hydroxides (LDHs) may comprise a compound of formula Mg.sub.4-yAlX.sub.y(OH).sub.2, wherein X is Mn.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2, or Fe.sup.+2, and 0.01y1. Exemplary layered double hydroxide hydrogels (LDH-gels) may comprise a hydrogel and at least one LDH. Exemplary hydrogels may comprise polyethylene (glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) or polyacrylamide (PAAm). Exemplary LDH-gels may comprise at least one LDH comprising a compound of formula Mg.sub.4-yAlX.sub.y(OH).sub.2, wherein X is Mn.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2, or Fe.sup.+2, and 0.01y1.

Processes for making magnesium-containing layered double hydroxides from a magnesium phosphate-containing mineral are disclosed, as well as a magnesium-containing layered double hydroxides and their uses.

Processes for making magnesium-containing layered double hydroxides from a magnesium phosphate-containing mineral are disclosed, as well as a magnesium-containing layered double hydroxides and their uses.

The present invention relates to a method for extracting magnesium and lithium and also producing layered double hydroxides (LDH) from brine, comprising the steps of: adding an aluminum salt to brine, to prepare a mixed salt solution A for preparing MgAl-LDH; adding an alkaline solution to carry out co-precipitation, followed by crystallization; after the crystallization is complete, performing solid-liquid separation to obtain a solid product of MgAl-LDH and a filtrate; concentrating the filtrate by evaporation to obtain a lithium-rich brine, adding an aluminum salt thereto to prepare a mixed salt solution B for preparing LiAl-LDH; adding the mixed salt solution B to an alkaline solution to carry out precipitation; after the precipitation is complete, performing solid-liquid separation to obtain a solid product of LiAl-LDH and a filtrate; and concentrating the filtrate by evaporation, returning the solution concentrated by evaporation to the lithium-rich brine for recycled use. This method uses mild reaction and simple equipment, has a small loss of Li, can achieve isolation of resources from salt lakes, and can also obtain functional materials having a high added value.

Layered double hydroxides having a high surface area (at least 125 m.sup.2/g) and the formula (I)

[M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n-).sub.a/n.sup.+bH.sub.2O.c(AMO-solvent)(I)

wherein M and M are different and each is a charged metal cation (and must be present), z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, 0<x<0.9, b is 0 to 10, c=0 to 10, X is an anion, n is the charge on the anion, and a=z(1x)+xy2; AMO-solvent is aqueous miscible organic solvent, may be prepared by a method which comprises a) precipitating a layered double hydroxide having the formula

[M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n-).sub.a/n.sup.+bH.sub.2O wherein M, M, z, y, x, a, b and X are as defined above from a solution containing the cations of the metals M and M and the anion X.sup.n-; b) ageing the layered double hydroxide precipitate obtained in step a) in the original solution; c) collecting, then washing the layered double hydroxide precipitate; d) dispersing the wet layered double hydroxide in an AMO solvent so as to produce a slurry of the layered double hydroxide in the solvent; e) maintaining the dispersion obtained in step d); and f) recovering and drying the layered double hydroxide.

The high surface area products have low particle size and are particularly suitable for use as catalysts, catalyst supports, sorbents and coatings.

This invention is directed to regeneration of solutions comprising metal ions, and production of valuable hydroxide compounds. Specifically, the invention is related to regeneration of spent electrolyte solutions comprising metal ions (e.g. Al ions), such as electrolyte solutions used in metal/air batteries. The invention is further related to production of layered double hydroxides, and, optionally aluminum tri-hydroxide from aluminate.

Exemplary layered double hydroxides (LDHs) may comprise a compound of formula Mg.sub.4yAlX.sub.y(OH).sub.2, wherein X is Mn.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2, or Fe.sup.+2, and 0.01y1. Exemplary layered double hydroxide hydrogels (LDH-gels) may comprise a hydrogel and at least one LDH. Exemplary hydrogels may comprise polyethylene (glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) or polyacrylamide (PAAm). Exemplary LDH-gels may comprise at least one LDH comprising a compound of formula Mg.sub.4yAlX.sub.y(OH).sub.2, wherein X is Mn.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2, or Fe.sup.+2, and 0.01y1.

Exemplary layered double hydroxides (LDHs) may comprise a compound of formula Mg.sub.4yAlX.sub.y(OH).sub.2, wherein X is Mn.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2, or Fe.sup.+2, and 0.01y1. Exemplary layered double hydroxide hydrogels (LDH-gels) may comprise a hydrogel and at least one LDH. Exemplary hydrogels may comprise polyethylene (glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) or polyacrylamide (PAAm). Exemplary LDH-gels may comprise at least one LDH comprising a compound of formula Mg.sub.4yAlX.sub.y(OH).sub.2, wherein X is Mn.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2, or Fe.sup.+2, and 0.01y1.

Provided is a water-swelling layered double hydroxide characterized by having an organic sulfonic acid anion (A.sup.) between layers, and by being represented by the below mentioned general formula (1): Q.sub.ZR(OH).sub.2(Z+1)(A.sup.).sub.(1y)(X.sup.n).sub.y/n.mH.sub.2O . . . (1). Here, Q is a divalent metal, R is a trivalent metal, A.sup. is an organic sulfonic acid anion, m is a real number greater than 0, and z is in the range of 1.8z4.2. X.sup.n is the n-valent anion remaining without A.sup. substitution, n is 1 or 2, y represents the remaining portion of X.sup.n, and 0y<0.4.

The present invention relates to a process A process for modifying a layered double hydroxide (LDH), the process comprising, a. providing a material comprising a layered double hydroxide of formula: [M.sup.z+.sub.1-xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.q+(X.sup.n).sub.q/n.bH.sub.2O wherein M and M are metal cations, z is 1 or 2, x is 0.1 to 1, b is 0 to 5, y is 3 or 4, X is an anion, n is 1 to 3 and q is determined by x, y and z, b. optionally washing the material at least once with a mixture of water and a mixing solvent miscible with water, and c. washing the material obtained in step a or b at least once with at least one first solvent, the first solvent being miscible with water and having a solvent polarity P