Lithium hexafluorophosphate is an inorganic substance and the most important component of electrolytes, accounting for about 43% of the total cost of electrolytes.
Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) is a white crystalline or powdery substance with a relative density of 1.50. It is highly hygroscopic; readily soluble in water, and also soluble in low-concentration methanol, ethanol, acetone, carbonates, and other organic solvents. When exposed to air or heated, lithium hexafluorophosphate rapidly decomposes in the air due to the action of water vapor, releasing PF5 and producing white fumes.
Uses of lithium hexafluorophosphate
Lithium hexafluorophosphate, as an electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries, is mainly used in lithium-ion power batteries, lithium-ion energy storage batteries and other daily-use batteries. It is also an irreplaceable lithium-ion battery electrolyte in the near to medium term.
Synthesis method of lithium hexafluorophosphate
1. Wet process: This method involves dissolving lithium salt in anhydrous hydrofluoric acid to form a LiF·HF solution, then introducing PF5 gas to react and produce lithium hexafluorophosphate crystals. The product is then separated and dried.
2. Dry method: This method involves treating LiF with anhydrous HF to form porous LiF, and then introducing PF5 gas to carry out the reaction, thereby obtaining the product.
3. Solvent method: This method involves reacting lithium salts with alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, or organic amine salts of fluorophosphate in an organic solvent, followed by crystallization, to produce lithium hexafluorophosphate.
In the fluorochemical industry, while traditional products saw a significant year-on-year decline, demand for high-end products maintained strong growth, especially for lithium hexafluorophosphate, whose production and sales continued to perform well. With the continued expansion of the new energy sector, lithium hexafluorophosphate is expected to experience sustained growth. Other new lithium salts are also expected to replace lithium hexafluorophosphate in the future.
