Efficient lithium extraction from aqueous solutions by MIL-100(Fe): A study on adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics and mechanism

•Robust MIL-100(Fe) was systematically studied on adsorptive separation of lithium ions.•The theoretical adsorption capacity of lithium ion on MIL-100(Fe) was as high as 83.9 mg·g−1.•The adsorption capacity was maintained after four cycles of adsorption.•Electrostatic interaction and coordination bond (Fe—F‧‧‧Li) explained lithium adsorption mechanism on MIL-100(Fe).