Mechanism analysis of ions interaction in MgCl2/LiCl solution and effect of lithium on ammonia precipitation products

Producing magnesium hydroxide is the basic way to utilize magnesium resources of natural brines. However, the effect of lithium on properties of product is always neglected. The interaction between ions in magnesium chloride solution containing lithium was illustrated based on the experimental results, and the effect of lithium on the crystallization of magnesium was clarified. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning election microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and laser particle size analysis indicate that the effect of lithium is not obvious on the crystal phase and morphology of the products. But the XRD relative intensity of (001) surface of magnesium hydroxide declines, the specific surface area reduces apparently and the additive mass of lithium affects the heat loss rates of precipitations obviously. Quantum chemical calculations on the interactional systems of Mg(H2O)(6)(2+) and Li(H2O)(4)(+) were performed using B3LYP/6-311G basis set. The results show that when the distance of Mg2+ and Li+ is 7-10 angstrom the interaction energy is high and the trend of solvation is strong, which would make hydroxide ions easier to combine with hydrogen ions in ammonia precipitation process. And the absolute value of solvation free energy reduces significantly in MgCl2 solution (1 mol/L) containing lithium ion.