•Nano-Li2TiO3 was synthesized with CH3COOLi and Ti(OC4H9)4 by the sol–gel process.•H2TiO3-lithium adsorbent was obtained by treating Li2TiO3 with HCl.•Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to analyze the adsorption process.•The adsorption performance of the obtained adsorbent was studied. CH3COOLi and Ti(OC4H9)4 were employed as lithium and titanium sources, respectively to synthesize Li2TiO3 by the sol–gel process, followed by treating with hydrochloric acid to yield H2TiO3-lithium adsorbent. Various concentrations of LiOH and lithium sources were used as adsorption liquid to carry out adsorption experiment, the data from which were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The results indicate that the optimal calcination temperature is 650°C, and Li2TiO3 with particle size 60–80nm is observed. The Li+ drawn out ratio from Li2TiO3 reaches 78.9%, and the dissolution of titanium ions can be as low as 0.07%. The protonated sample obtained has a lower basal spacing, while the crystal morphology is retained. The main factors affecting the adsorptive capacity are the Li+ concentration and pH in the liquid. The adsorption process of H2TiO3-lithium adsorbent can be seen as a process including surface adsorption and ion exchange. Compared with Langmuir model, Freundlich model is more suitable for describing the actual adsorption process.