powdered lithium is a versatile material that can be used in a wide variety of applications. It is an important compound in rechargeable batteries, ceramics and glass and lubricants.
Lithium is a rare element that is found in a variety of rocks and in brines. It is an essential component in lithium-ion batteries.
The most common lithium compounds are lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and lithium hexafluorophosphate. They are precursors to the electrolyte and cathode materials in batteries.
However, in many applications, the crystalline form of lithium is more desirable because it provides better performance. This is because it has a higher reactivity and a larger particle size than the soluble form.
Besides its use in a wide range of lithium-ion batteries, the crystalline form of lithium is also used as an ingredient in high-temperature alkaline glazes. It is less soluble than other alkaline compounds and produces more durable glazes.
To make the crystalline form of lithium, Thomas’s team mixed a solution of lithium hydroxide with ammonia and then warmed it to melt the ammonia. The ammonia quickly turned into a liquid, which they then pumped off.
The ammonia turned to a clear, colorless liquid, and the crystalline form of lithium formed. These spindly, thin crystalline structures called dendrites were then stored in an inert atmosphere. The researchers then used them to prepare a number of organolithium reagents. These reagents, which are labeled with the isotope lithium-6, are useful for nuclear magnetic resonance studies.