New Jobs for Lithium Metals
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Long cast in obscurity, lithium (symbol Li), with an atomic number of 3 and atomic weight of 6.939 is the 1st and lightest of the alkali metals, appearing in group 1 of the periodic table. Lithium occurs in nature in a mixture of isotopic forms 6Li and 7Li, with the majority of the Lithium in the US being subjected to isotope separation to produce a purified, lighter isotope 6Li. 1 Application wise, lithium metals are attractive due to their physical properties such as large temperature range (in liquid form), high thermal conductivity, low viscosity, and extremely low density. 1 Lithium metals are insoluble in hydrocarbons, slightly soluble in lower aliphatic amines, and soluble in liquid ammonia.
Chemically speaking, lithium is the only alkali metal that reacts with nitrogen at room temperatures, forming a nitride (Li3N) that is black. 1 Lithium is also known to react with oxygen (forms monoxide, Li2O), hydrogen at approximately 500C (930F) (forms liquid hydride, LiH). 1 Reactions with water tend to be very vigorous as lithium is known to react directly with carbon (forms carbide, Li2C2) as well as halogens at elevated temperatures (forms halides with emissions of light). 1
Various uses include combining lithium hydroxide with Tallow (natural fat), producing lithium stearate, a thickener or gelling agent used to transform oil into lithium-base lubricating grease. 1 Lithium carbonate (LiCO3) which is commonly used in the ceramics industry, specifically in the manufacture of powdered glass (frits) for the formulation of porcelain enamel...