Lithium carbonate

Lithium carbonate is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is Li₂CO₃. It contains lithium and carbonate ions.

Properties

Lithium carbonate is a white solid. It dissolves in water, although not as much as sodium carbonate. It reacts with acids to make carbon dioxide. It can react with carbon dioxide temporarily to make the bicarbonate. lithium carbonate is basic in nature.

Preparation

It can be made by mixing lithium oxide or lithium hydroxide and carbon dioxide.

Production

Lithium is extracted from two main sources: pegmatite crystals and lithium compounds from brine pools. It is also found in the rare mineral zabuyelite.^[1]

Uses

Lithium carbonate is used in various medications for treating bipolar disorder. It is also used in fireworks to make a bright red color. It is used in processing metal oxides. It can be used to make glass. It is used to glaze ceramics. It can also be used to dry cement. It is used in making lithium ion batteries. It is used in carbon dioxide detectors.^[2] It is also used make the cathodes of most lithium-ion batteries, which are made from lithium cobalt oxide.