What is the Lithium Oxide Formula: Let us know about the Lithium Oxide formula. Lithium oxide is the inorganic chemical compound of the formula Li 2 or that forms with small amounts of lithium peroxide when lithium metal is burned in air and combined with oxygen.
Until the 1990s, US production from mineral deposits in metallurgy was dominated by lithium and the lithium market, but in the early 21st century most of the production was derived from non-US sources; Australia, Chile and Portugal were the most important suppliers in the world. Bolivia has half of the world’s lithium deposits, but it is not a major producer.
The most important commercial form is lithium carbonate, Li 2 CO 3 , produced from minerals or pulses by several different processes.
When lithium is burned in air, the main product is a white oxide of lithium oxide, Li2O . In addition, some lithium peroxide is used to produce Li 2 O 2 , also white.
This can also be done through the thermal decomposition of lithium hydroxide, LiOH, or lithium peroxide, Li2O2.
4Li (s) + O 2 (g) → 2Li 2 O (s)
2 LiOH (s) + heat → Li 2 O (s) + H 2 O (g)
2Li 2 O 2 (s) + heat → 2Li 2 O (s) + O 2 (G)
physical and chemical properties
Lithium oxide is a white solid known as lithia that lacks aroma and salty taste. Its appearance is shown in Figure 2 (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2017).
Lithium oxide crystals are of antifluorite geometry similar to that of chloride (face centered cubic). Its crystalline structure is presented (Mark Winter [University of Sheffield & Webbels Ltd., 2016]].
Its molecular weight is 29.88 g/mol, its density is 2.013 g/mL and the melting and boiling points are 1438 °C and 2066 °C, respectively. The compound is very soluble in water, alcohol, ether, pyridine and nitrobenzene (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015).
Lithium oxide readily reacts with water vapor to form hydroxide, and with carbon dioxide to form carbonate; Therefore, it should be stored in a clean and dry environment.
Oxide compounds do not produce electricity. However, some structured oxides of perovskite are electronically conductive which find applications in the cathodes of solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen systems.
They are compounds that contain at least one oxygen ion and one metallic cation (American element, S.F.).
response and threats
Lithium oxide is a stable compound with strong acids, water and carbon dioxide. To our knowledge, the chemical, physical and toxicological properties of lithium oxide have not been investigated and reported in depth.
The toxicity of lithium compounds is a function of their solubility in water. Lithium ion has central nervous system toxicity. The compound is highly corrosive irritant if it comes into contact with eyes, skin, when inhaled or ingested (ESPI METALS, 1993).
In case of contact with eyes you should check if you are wearing contact lenses and remove them immediately. The eyes should be washed with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping the eyelids open. You can use cold water. Ointment should not be used for the eyes.
If the chemical comes into contact with clothing, remove it as soon as possible, protecting your hands and body. Place the victim under a safety shower.
If the chemical gets on the victim’s exposed skin, such as hands, gently and carefully wash the skin with contaminated water and non-abrasive soap. You can use cold water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
In case of inhalation, the victim should be allowed to rest in a well-ventilated area. If the inhalation is severe, the victim should be evacuated to a safe area as soon as possible.
Loose clothing such as shirt collars, belts or ties. If the victim finds it difficult to breathe, oxygen should be administered. If the victim is not breathing, mouth-to-mouth is resumed.
Always bear in mind that it can be dangerous to the person who provides mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when the inhaled material is toxic, infectious or corrosive.
In all cases you should seek immediate medical attention (SIGMA-ALDRICH, 2010).
Applications
Lithium oxide is used as a flux in ceramic glazes, and blue with copper and rose with cobalt, Lithium oxide reacts with water and steam, forming lithium hydroxide and must be separated from them.
Lithium oxide (Li) 2 O) with high tritium potential is an attractive candidate for solid culture materials of DT fusion power plants, due to its high density of lithium atoms (compared to other lithium or metallic lithium ceramics) and its conductivity. reason. Relatively high thermal (LITHIUM OXIDE (Li2O), SF).
Li 2 or it will be exposed to high temperatures under neutron radiation during the operation of the fusion blanket. Under these conditions, a large number of radiation defects will arise in Li 2 or, such as helium-induced swelling, relatively high thermal expansion, grain growth, formation and precipitation of LiOH(T) at low temperature and LiOH(T) at high temperature. Transport of mass.
In addition, Li 2 or it will be subject to stresses resulting from the difference in thermal expansion between Li 2 O and the structural material. These characteristics of Li 2 or they give rise to challenging engineering problems in both the manufacture and design of the blanket.
A potential new use is as a replacement for cobalt and lithium oxide as the cathode in lithium-ion batteries is used to power electronic devices from mobile phones to laptops as well as battery-powered cars.
