Lithium Isotope Selectivity of Semicrystalline Titanium Phosphates with Rapid Ion Exchange Rate

The ion exchange rate and lithium isotope selectivity of inorganic ion exchangers, semicrystalline layered titanium phosphate (Ti2O3 (H2PO4) 2⋅2H2O) prepared through the reaction in aqueous media and its thermally treated product, were investigated. Their Li+/H+ ion exchange rates were quite high; the ion exchange equilibria were attained within 3min at 25°C. The single-stage separation factor for the lithium isotopes at 25°C was 1.008-1.011 for Ti2O3 (H2PO4) 2⋅2H2O and 1.014-1.018 for its thermally treated product under weakly acidic to neutral conditions.