What Is Lithium Carbonate?
Lithium carbonate, an inorganic compound denoted by Li2CO3, is derived from ores and brine. It serves as a precursor for various lithium-based products.
Uses of Lithium Carbonate
Utilized across numerous fields, lithium carbonate is crucial for producing glazes, glass, ceramics, battery materials, and pharmaceuticals. In lithium-ion batteries, it forms the basis for cathode active materials and electrolytes, essential for modern electronic devices and electric vehicles.
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Properties of Lithium Carbonate
This compound appears as a colorless to white crystal solid, characterized by a molecular weight of 73.89, a density of 2.11 g/cm3, and a high melting point of 723°C. Lithium carbonate exhibits unique solubility properties, being relatively insoluble in water, with solubility decreasing as temperature increases. However, its solubility can increase significantly under pressure due to the formation of lithium bicarbonate.
Other Information on Lithium Carbonate
How Lithium Carbonate Is Produced
Lithium carbonate’s production involves extracting lithium from salt lake brines or minerals like spodumene and lepidolite. The process for ore-based extraction includes roasting, acid treatment to form lithium sulfate, and subsequent precipitation with sodium carbonate to isolate lithium carbonate. For brine sources, lithium chloride concentration via sun-drying, followed by precipitation with sodium carbonate, yields lithium carbonate.