Extraction kinetics of lithium ions by N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)acetamide from simulated brine using rising single drop method

•The extraction kinetics of lithium by N523 from salt lake brine was investigated by rising single drop method.•The extraction process is controlled by the diffusion.•The chemical reaction takes place at the interfacial area.•The mechanism of the lithium extraction with N523 is revealed.

Recovery of lithium ions from salt lake brine is becoming more important because of the rapid increase in projected demand for lithium resources. N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)acetamide (N523) is a newly developed extractant that presents good lithium extraction ability and selectivity. In this study, the kinetics and mechanism of lithium ion extraction with N523 in kerosene at 298.15 K were investigated using the rising single drop method. Results showed that the extraction process is controlled by diffusion and that the chemical reaction occurs at the interfacial area.