Lithium carbonate (Li2CO3)
Lithium carbonate is an inorganic salt of lithium, supplied as a white, odourless powder with the formula Li2CO3 (CAS 554-13-2). It is a key precursor for lithium-ion battery cathode materials and is also used in glass, ceramics and enamels. In pharmaceutical grade it is an active substance in medicines for bipolar disorder. Grades differ mainly in purity and permitted impurity levels.
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Lithium carbonate
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Lithium carbonate (Li2CO3, CAS 554-13-2, molar mass 73.89 g/mol) is a white crystalline powder. It is only sparingly soluble in water, and unusually it becomes less soluble as the temperature rises. It melts at roughly 720 °C and reacts with acids to release carbon dioxide.
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Which grades are available, and how do they differ?
Commercial material is usually sold as technical, battery or pharmaceutical grade. Battery-grade lithium carbonate is typically specified at 99.5 % purity or higher. Its specification sets tight limits on sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron and sulfate, because these impurities affect cathode performance.
Pharmaceutical grade must meet the relevant monographs, such as those in the USP, BP or Ph. Eur. (EP). Buyers should compare the CoA against the agreed specification, including particle size distribution where this is relevant to the process.
What is lithium carbonate used for?
The largest current use is in making cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and some nickel-based chemistries. Other applications include:
- glass, glass-ceramics, glazes and enamels
- additives in aluminium production
- as an active ingredient in mood-stabilising medicines
What safety and regulatory points apply?
Under GHS, lithium carbonate is commonly classified as harmful if swallowed (H302) and causing serious eye irritation (H319). Always check the supplier's SDS for the classification that applies to the specific product.
The substance is registered under REACH (EC number 209-062-5) and is listed on the TSCA inventory. Medicinal use is subject to pharmaceutical regulation.
Related concepts
Lithium carbonate is closely related to lithium hydroxide, which is the other main battery-grade lithium salt. It is also linked to cathode active materials such as LFP and NMC, and to lithium extraction from brines and spodumene. For quality assurance, see pharmacopoeial monographs and the CoA review process.
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