Lithium is a monovalent cation belonging to the group of alkali metals, but also shares some properties of magnesium and calcium. Lithium is a silver-white coloured alkali metal, which is commonly present among the plants, soil, animals, human body and animals. It is extracted from the mineral springs and ores where it is present in small amounts. Lithium reacts with water and is corrosive in nature. It forms several inorganic and organic compounds such as oxide, hydride, carbide, hydroxide, nitride, etc.

Lithium is light in weight among all the metals and consist of less density in compar

Lithium is a monovalent cation belonging to the group of alkali metals, but also shares some properties of magnesium and calcium. Lithium is a silver-white coloured alkali metal, which is commonly present among the plants, soil, animals, human body and animals. It is extracted from the mineral springs and ores where it is present in small amounts. Lithium reacts with water and is corrosive in nature. It forms several inorganic and organic compounds such as oxide, hydride, carbide, hydroxide, nitride, etc.

Lithium is light in weight among all the metals and consist of less density in comparison to all solids. The lithium compounds, primarily found its application in rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. It is used many products, such as ceramics, high strength alloys, low weight alloys, and heat-resistant glass that are mainly used in aircraft. Further, it is also used across the healthcare industry in order to treat bipolar disorder. The industry is driven by multiple consumer industries comprising glass & ceramics, and Li-ion batteries including others.

Lithium compounds such as Lithium Chloride is among the most hygroscopic constituents which is used for air conditioning whereas Lithium Stearate is utilized for high temperature lubricant. Further, Lithium Carbonate finds application in drugs to heal manic depression. In addition, Lithium hydride is utilized for storing hydrogen which is used as a fuel. The diversified application of lithium compounds has boosted the demand that in turn is driving the industry size.

Lithium Compounds Derivatives

• • Lithium Concentrate
  • Butyl Lithium
  • Lithium Metal
  • Lithium Hydroxide
  • Lithium Chloride
  • Lithium Carbonate

Lithium chloride

Lithium chloride (LiCl) functions in many pathological processes, including bipolar disorder, acute brain injuries, and chronic neuro-degenerative diseases. LiCl is also used an inducer of multiple myeloma (MM) cell apoptosis and unveil a crosstalk between BTZ and LiCl in facilitating cell apoptosis. LiCl overcomes drug resistance and triggers cell apoptosis. Lithium chloride was evaluated as a potential protective agent against ethanol-induced haemorrhagic gastritis in rats.

Lithium Carbonate

Lithium carbonate is also referred as Lithane or Eskalith. It is a monovalent cation that is used for treatment of depression, acute manic episode and bipolar disorder, thus used as a mood-stabilizing agent. Lithium carbonate is the most extensively used form because of its practical advantage over the others: its anion weighs about half as much.

Lithium Hydroxide

Lithium Hydroxide contains NLT 98.0% and NMT 102.0% of lithium hydroxide (LiOH), calculated on the anhydrous basis. Lithium hydride is utilized for storing hydrogen which is used as a fuel.

End users of Lithium Compounds

• • Li-Ion Batteries
  • Medical
  • Glass & ceramics
  • Lubricants
  • Metallurgy
  • Polymers
  • Others

Lithium is used in many industry verticals such as:

• • Aerospace & Defense
  • Automobile
  • Energy
  • Chemicals
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Others

Chemical and physical characteristics of lithium

1. Lithium has a large liquidus range. It has high thermal conductivity as well as high heat capacity. These properties allow lithium to be used as an effective nuclear reactor coolant. However, the corrosive properties of lithium require precautionary hand ling.

2. The high boiling point of lithium compared to sodium (1347 "C vs. 883 "C) results in a much higher ignition temperature, with possible effects on structures.

3. Bulk solid lithium at room temperature does not burn spontaneously in water or air. In dry oxygen, carbon dioxide, air up to 250 OC, and dry nitrogen up to 160 OC, lithium metal dispersions are considered as inert.

4. Oxidation of lithium in dry oxygen is low all the way up to the ignition temperature. The ignition temperature of lithium in pure oxygen is uncertain, cited at values as high as 630 'C.

5. Lithium is the only alkali metal that will react with nitrogen to form a nitride. Thus nitrogen cannot be used as a cover gas as it is in sodium systems. Ignition temperatures for lithium metal in nitrogen are quoted between 170 "C and 450 OC.

6. Rates, products and temperatures for lithium-air reactions are uncertain and contradictory. Values between 180 OC: and 640 OC have been reported for the ignition temperature of lithium in air. Discrepancy is due mainly to purity and moisture conditions.

7. Lithium reacts readily with water (vapor and liquid) to form hydrogen gas. It is a hazard under some accident conditions.

8. Molten lithium is extremely reactive. It will burn on contact with the moist skin of personnel working with it. It also produces, upon burning, aerosols irritating to the respiratory system.

9. Molten lithium reacts noticeably with concrete, other materials containing moisture and with many ceramic insulating materials. Lithium attacks ceramics more aggressively than sodium does.

10. At high temperatures, molten lithium reacts with all known molecular gases but can be handled up to 200 OC in paraffin vapors. Trace amounts of moisture catalyze lithium-gas reactions.

11. No information was found on the aerosol properties of lithium combustion products (size, distribution, density, shape, chemical nature, or toxicity).

12. No information was found on the effects of radiation on lithium properties and interactions.

13. Purity of lithium and the materials with which it interacts play a significant role in the nature of most lithium reactions.

14. Small lithium fires have been extinguished with a graphite powder, MET-L-X (a commercial preparation), and a pulverized salt eutectic mixture. Liquid lithium drains and self-extinguishing sump systems have been demonstrated effective for controlling small quantities of burning liquid lithium.

Conclusion

Commercial lithium contains appreciable quantities of carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Other contaminants commonly dissolved in lithium or mechanically dispersed in it are lithium compounds of chlorine, hydrogen, calcium, aluminium, iron, silicon, and sodium. In nature lithium is found in minerals and mineral waters and in trace amounts in sea water plants and animal tissues. It does not occur free in nature because of the special arrangement of its electrons and the high density of the positive charge of its nucleus. The common lithium salts are the carbonate, the chloride, the citrate and the sulphate. The diversified application of lithium compounds has boosted the demand that in turn is driving the industry size.