[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of lithium carbonate, lithium carbonate sqm

Lithium carbonate properties

Lithium carbonate (Li₂ CO) is a white crystalline powder with an alkaline reaction, with a melting point of 723°C and a density of about 2.11g/cm³. It has good thermal stability and chemical stability, and is not easy to decompose at room temperature. It decomposes at high temperatures into lithium oxide (Li₂ O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). The solubility of lithium carbonate in water increases with increasing temperature, and the solubility at 25°C is about 1.54g/100 ml. Lithium carbonate is insoluble in alcohol and organic solvents, but can be dissolved in dilute acids to form the corresponding lithium salt.

Lithium carbonate uses

Lithium carbonate is widely used in industry and technology. One of its most important uses is in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, as a basic raw material for battery cathode materials. This makes lithium carbonate a key material for the modern electronics and electric vehicle industries. In addition to the battery industry, lithium carbonate is also used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics to improve the strength and thermal stability of products. In the pharmaceutical field, lithium carbonate is used as a drug to treat bipolar disorder, helping to stabilize the mood of patients. Lithium carbonate is used in the metallurgical industry to produce aluminum-lithium alloys, which significantly improves the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the metal.

Lithium carbonate upstream raw material

The main upstream raw materials for the production of lithium carbonate are lithium ore and brine. Lithium ores mainly include spodumene (LiAl (SiO₂) ₂) and lepidolite (Li₂(K,Al) (Si,Al), O₂, (F,OH), which extract lithium through chemical and physical methods. Brine resources are mainly derived from salt lake brine and underground brine, which contain high concentrations of lithium ions, and lithium carbonate is extracted through processes such as evaporation and chemical precipitation. The advantages of brine resource extraction are its lower production cost and less environmental impact, but its production cycle is longer.

Lithium carbonate downstream products

The downstream products of lithium carbonate mainly include lithium-ion batteries, glass ceramic products, aluminum-lithium alloys and pharmaceutical products. In the field of lithium-ion batteries, lithium carbonate is further processed into battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH), which is used to produce battery cathode materials such as lithium iron phosphate (LiFePOO4) and lithium nickel cobalt manganate (Li(Ni,Co,Mn)O₂). In the glass and ceramic industry, lithium carbonate as an additive can significantly improve the quality and performance of products. In the field of metallurgy, aluminum-lithium alloys are widely used in aerospace and military industries because of their lightweight and high strength characteristics. Lithium carbonate products in the pharmaceutical field are mainly used for psychotropic drugs to stabilize patients' emotions and relieve symptoms.

Lithium carbonate production process

The production process of lithium carbonate is mainly divided into ore extraction method and brine extraction method. The ore extraction method is to obtain lithium carbonate through roasting, acid-base treatment and precipitation reaction of ore such as spodumene and lepidolite. The law of brine extraction is to extract lithium salt from lithium-containing brine through evaporation, precipitation, filtration and other processes, and then obtain lithium carbonate through chemical reaction. Both processes have their own advantages and disadvantages, the ore method is suitable for resource-rich areas, while the brine method is suitable for areas with rich salt lake resources.

Lithium carbonate market status

The global lithium carbonate market demand is mainly driven by lithium-ion batteries, especially the rapid development of electric vehicles has greatly promoted the demand for lithium carbonate. In recent years, China, the United States and Europe have increased investment in the electric vehicle industry, further pushing up the market demand for lithium carbonate. The development of lithium resources and the improvement of production capacity on the supply side are also ongoing. Nevertheless, due to the uneven distribution of lithium resources and the limitation of extraction technology, the lithium carbonate market is still facing a tight supply situation and large price fluctuations.

Lithium carbonate storage method

Lithium carbonate needs to be protected from moisture and pollution during storage. Lithium carbonate is sensitive to moisture and is prone to agglomeration and deterioration after moisture absorption, so it should be stored in a dry, cool and well-ventilated environment. It is usually packaged in a sealed plastic bag or plastic bucket to prevent contact with moisture in the air. The storage area should be protected from strong acids and alkalis to prevent product deterioration due to chemical reactions. The storage time of lithium carbonate should not be too long, and it should be used as much as possible within the shelf life to ensure its quality and performance.

Lithium carbonate environmental impact

The production and use of lithium carbonate may have a certain impact on the environment. Ore mining and brine extraction may cause land damage and water pollution. Improper disposal of waste from lithium-ion batteries can also have a negative impact on the environment. In order to reduce environmental impact, enterprises and governments should strengthen the sustainable development of lithium resources and the research and development of recycling technology, and improve the recycling rate of lithium-ion batteries, thereby reducing resource waste and environmental pollution.

future development prospects

As the global demand for renewable energy and electric vehicles continues to grow, the lithium carbonate market has a bright future. Technological progress and industrial upgrading will further improve the production efficiency and product quality of lithium carbonate. The sustainable development and utilization of lithium resources will also become the focus of future research to ensure the long-term stable supply of lithium resources. In the future, as more countries and regions increase their support for the new energy industry, the lithium carbonate market will continue to maintain rapid growth.

Conclusion

As an important chemical raw material, lithium carbonate is widely used in modern industry and science and technology. Its production and use involves many links, including upstream raw material extraction, production process, market demand and storage methods. With the increasing global attention to new energy and environmental protection industries, the market demand for lithium carbonate will continue to grow, and the future development prospects are very bright. The production and use of lithium carbonate also need to pay attention to environmental protection and sustainable utilization of resources, in order to achieve the coordinated development of economic and environmental benefits.