Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is an inorganic compound that has a white crystalline appearance. It is highly soluble in water and less soluble in alcohol. LiOH is considered an important industrial chemical as it is a key component that is used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. In its anhydrous form, it has the chemical formula LiOH•H2O.
Uses
It has several important uses in many industries and applications. Some of its major uses are:
Battery Technology
It is one of the major raw materials that is used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. These rechargeable batteries are commonly used in portable electronics like smartphones, laptops, tablets and electric vehicles. During the battery manufacturing process, lithium hydroxide is mixed with carbon to form lithium cobalt oxide or lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide cathode materials. This reaction produces lithium ions that allow the battery to store and release energy. With the rising demand for lithium-ion batteries, the need for it is also increasing exponentially.
Air Purification
Another major use of it is in air purification applications. Due to its high affinity for water vapor and carbon dioxide, it is used as a desiccant in air conditioning, refrigeration and other systems to remove moisture from air. It is also able to absorb some toxic gases and is therefore used to scrub industrial exhaust emissions and produce clearer ambient air.
Metal Manufacturing
Lithium Hydroxide plays an important role in metal manufacturing processes. It is used as a fluxing agent during aluminum production to help remove impurities. It also has applications in the production of monovalent lithium compounds that are used to manufacture other lithium salts. Some lithium salts find applications as lubricants and corrosion inhibitors in the metal industries.
Nuclear Industry
The excellent neutron absorption properties of lithium make lithium hydroxide suitable for use in nuclear reactors as a control and safety rod material. It helps in moderating nuclear fission and controlling the rate of reaction. It is preferred over other materials due to its transparency and compatibility with reactor coolants.
Glass and Ceramic Manufacturing
A specialized application of it is in the production of lithium silicate glasses and ceramics. These materials have wide thermal shock resistance and find varied applications. Lithium hydroxide reacts with sand or other silica sources to form lithium silicate glass that is useful in solar panels, telecommunication devices and other specialized applications.
Production
There are a few common industrial processes through which high-purity is produced commercially on a large scale.
Electrolytic Process
One of the key production methods involves the electrolysis of a saturated lithium chloride solution. In this process, lithium chloride (LiCl) brine is purified by removing magnesium and calcium impurities. It is then concentrated and subjected to electrolysis between iron electrodes. This generates lithium metal at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode. The liberated lithium metal is then reacted with water to produce it and hydrogen gas.
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