Lithium hydroxide is a white, monoclinic, fine crystal. It has a pungent odor and is strongly alkaline. When exposed to air, it absorbs carbon dioxide and moisture. It is a water-soluble chemical, slightly soluble in ethanol, insoluble in ether, and is a corrosive substance.
Properties of lithium hydroxide
Lithium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula LiOH. It is a white, monoclinic, fine crystalline solid with a pungent taste. It is strongly alkaline and corrosive; a 1 mol/L solution has a pH of approximately 14 and pKb = -0.04. It absorbs carbon dioxide and moisture from the air, is soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in ether. Its relative density is 1.45, and its melting point is 471℃ (anhydrous). It decomposes at 925℃. It exists in both anhydrous and monohydrate forms.
Uses of lithium hydroxide
Lithium hydroxide is an important basic lithium salt product. Lithium-based greases prepared with lithium hydroxide have advantages such as long service life, oxidation resistance, and high-temperature stability. Lithium hydroxide can be used as a developing agent for spectral analysis, as a lubricating oil, and as an additive for alkaline batteries. Lithium hydroxide can increase storage capacity and extend battery life.
In addition to its other applications, lithium hydroxide has important uses in metallurgy, nuclear energy, chemical reagents, aerospace, and defense industries. It can be used as an absorbent for carbon dioxide and to purify the air inside submarines.
Used in the manufacture of lithium salts and lithium-based greases, electrolytes for alkaline batteries, absorbents for lithium bromide refrigerators, lithium soap, lithium salts, developing solutions, etc., or as analytical reagents; used in the petroleum, chemical, light industry, and nuclear industries. When used in alkaline batteries, the aluminum content is no more than 0.06%, and the lead content is no more than 0.01%. Used as an analytical reagent, photographic developer, and also in the manufacture of lithium; primarily used as a raw material for the production of lithium compounds. Also used in the metallurgical, petroleum, glass, and ceramic industries.
