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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name Lithium hydroxide | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChemSpider |
|
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.013.804 |
| 68415 | |
| RTECS number |
|
| UNII |
|
| UN number | 2680 |
| |
| |
| Properties | |
| LiOH | |
| Molar mass |
|
| Appearance | white solid |
| Odor | none |
| Density |
|
| Melting point | 462 °C (864 °F; 735 K) |
| Boiling point | 924 °C (1,695 °F; 1,197 K) (decomposes) |
| |
| Solubility inmethanol |
|
| Solubility inethanol |
|
| Solubility inisopropanol |
|
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.4[3] |
| Conjugate base | Lithium monoxide anion |
| −12.3·10−6 cm3/mol | |
Refractive index (nD) |
|
| 4.754 D[4] | |
| Thermochemistry[5] | |
| 49.6 J/(mol·K) | |
Std molar entropy(S⦵298) | 42.8 J/(mol·K) |
Std enthalpy of formation(ΔfH⦵298) | −487.5 kJ/mol |
Gibbs free energy(ΔfG⦵) | −441.5 kJ/mol |
Enthalpy of fusion(ΔfH⦵fus) | 20.9 kJ/mol (at melting point) |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards | Corrosive |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) | 210 mg/kg (oral, rat)[6] |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | "ICSC 0913". "ICSC 0914". (monohydrate) |
| Related compounds | |
Otheranions | Lithium amide |
Othercations | |
Related compounds | Lithium oxide |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Lithium hydroxide is aninorganic compound with theformula LiOH. It can exist as anhydrous or hydrated, and both forms are whitehygroscopic solids. They are soluble in water and slightly soluble inethanol. Both are available commercially. While classified as astrong base, lithium hydroxide is the weakest known alkali metal hydroxide.
The preferred feedstock is hard-rockspodumene, where the lithium content is expressed as %lithium oxide.
Lithium hydroxide is often produced industrially fromlithium carbonate in ametathesis reaction withcalcium hydroxide:[7]
The initially produced hydrate is dehydrated by heating under vacuum up to 180 °C.
An alternative route involves the intermediacy oflithium sulfate:[8][9]
The main by-products aregypsum andsodium sulphate, which have some market value.
According to Bloomberg,Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd.[10] (GFL or Ganfeng)[11] andAlbemarle were the largest producers in 2020 with around 25kt/y, followed by Livent Corporation (FMC) andSQM.[10] Significant new capacity is planned, to keep pace with demand driven by vehicle electrification. Ganfeng are to expand lithium chemical capacity to 85,000 tons, adding the capacity leased from Jiangte, Ganfeng will become the largest lithium hydroxide producer globally in 2021.[10]
Albemarle'sKemerton, Western Australia plant, originally planned to deliver 100kt/y has been scaled back to 50kt/y.[12]
In 2020Tianqi Lithium's, plant inKwinana, Western Australia was the largest producer, with a capacity of 48kt/y.[13]
Lithium hydroxide is mainly consumed in the production ofcathode materials forlithium-ion batteries such aslithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) andlithium iron phosphate. It is preferred overlithium carbonate as a precursor forlithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides.[14]
A popular lithium grease thickener islithium 12-hydroxystearate, which produces a general-purpose lubricatinggrease due to its high resistance to water and usefulness at a range of temperatures.
Lithium hydroxide is used inbreathing gas purification systems forspacecraft,submarines, andrebreathers to removecarbon dioxide from exhaled gas by producinglithium carbonate and water:[15]
or
The latter, anhydrous hydroxide, is preferred for its lower mass and lesser water production for respirator systems in spacecraft. One gram of anhydrous lithium hydroxide can remove 450 cm3 of carbon dioxide gas. The monohydrate loses its water at 100–110 °C.
Lithium hydroxide, together withlithium carbonate, is a key intermediates used for the production of other lithium compounds, illustrated by its use in the production oflithium fluoride:[7]
It is also used inceramics and somePortland cement formulations, where it is also used to suppress ASR (concrete cancer).[16]
Lithium hydroxide (isotopically enriched inlithium-7) is used to alkalize the reactor coolant inpressurized water reactors for corrosion control.[17]It is good radiation protection against free neutrons.
In 2012, the price of lithium hydroxide was about US$5–6/kg.[18]
In December 2020, it had risen to $9/kg.[19]
On 18 March 2021, the price had risen to $11.50/kg.[20]
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