Post by Trade facilitator on Jun 7, 2022 8:16:02 GMT 1
The most important use of lithium is in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles. Lithium is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks.
Lithium is a rare element found primarily in molten rocks and saltwater in very small quantities.
It is understood to be non-vital in human biological processes, although it is used in many drug treatments due to its positive effects on the human brain.
Because of its reactive properties, humans have utilized lithium in batteries, nuclear fusion reactions, and thermonuclear weapons.
Lithium was first identified as a component of the mineral petalite and was discovered in 1817 by Johan August Arfwedson, but not isolated until sometime later by W.T. Brande and Sir Humphry Davy.
In its mineral forms, it accounts for only 0.0007% of the earth's crust.
Its compounds are used in certain kinds of glass and porcelain products. More recently lithium has become important in dry-cell batteries and nuclear reactors. Some compounds of lithium have been used to treat manic depressives.
Properties:
Lithium is the lightest of all metals and is named from the Greek word for stone (lithos).
It is the first member of the Alkali Metal family.
It is less dense than water (with which it reacts) and forms a black oxide in contact with air.
Reactions with Water:
When lithium comes in contact with water, pure lithium reacts to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
2Li(s)+2H2O(l)→2LiOH(aq)+H2(g)(1)
Reactions with Air:
Pure lithium will form lithium hydroxide due to moisture in the air, as well as lithium nitride (Li3NLi3N) from N2N2 gas, and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3(Li2CO3) from carbon dioxide.
These compounds give the normally silver-white metal a black tarnish. Additionally, it will combust with oxygen as a red flame to form lithium oxide.
4Li(s)+O2(g)→2Li2O(2)
Batteries:
Lithium is capable of being used in the function of a Lithium battery in which the Lithium metal serves as the anode. Lithium ions serve in lithium ion batteries (chargeable) in which the lithium ions move from the negative to positive electrode when discharging, and vice versa when charging.
Heat Transfer:
Lithium has the highest specific heat capacity of the solids. Lithium tends to be used as a cooler for heat transfer techniques and applications.
Extraction from Saltwater:
Saltwater naturally contains lithium chloride, which must be extracted in the form of lithium carbonate, then it is re-treated, separated into its ions, and reduced in the same electrolytic process as in extraction from lithium ores.
Only three saltwater lakes in the world are currently used for lithium extraction: Those in Nevada, Chile, and Argentina.
Saltwater is channeled into shallow ponds and over a period of a year or more, water evaporates out to leave behind various salts. Lime is used to remove the magnesium salt, so that the remaining solution contains a fairly concentrated amount of lithium chloride. The solution is then treated with sodium carbonate in order for usable lithium carbonate to precipitate out.
Lithium is a special metal in many ways. It's light and soft, so soft that it can be cut with an ordinary kitchen knife, and so low in density that it floats on water. It is also solid at a wide range of temperatures, with one of the lowest melting points of all metals and a high boiling point.
Lithium in Food Products:
The following are the main sources of lithium in diets: cereals, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and some mineral waters.
You can also find it in some spices such as nutmeg, coriander seeds, or cumin; however, their share in the total supply of this element is negligible in many regions of the world.
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