What is Lithium carbonate?
[[File:Lithium carbonate.jpg|thumb|Lithium carbonate]] '''Lithium carbonate''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its [[chemical formula]] is Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>. It contains [[lithium]] and [[carbonate]] [[ion]]s. ==Properties== Lithium carbonate is a white solid. It dissolves in water, although not as much as [[sodium carbonate]]. It reacts with [[acid]]s 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 [[Extraction (chemistry)|extracted]] from two main sources: [[pegmatite]] [[Crystal|crystals]] and [[lithium compounds]] from [[Brine pool|brine pools]]. It is also found in the rare [[mineral]] [[zabuyelite]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zabuyelite Mineral Data|url=http://webmineral.com/data/Zabuyelite.shtml|access-date=2020-09-18|website=webmineral.com}}</ref> ==Uses== Lithium carbonate is used in various [[medication]]s 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]] [[ceramic]]s. It can also be used to dry [[cement]]. It is used in making [[lithium-ion battery|lithium ion batteries]]. It is used in [[carbon dioxide]] detectors.<ref>[http://www.figarosensor.com/products/4161Dtl.pdf Technical Information for Carbon Dioxide Sensors]</ref> It is also used make the [[Cathode|cathodes]] of most [[Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion batteries]], which are made from [[lithium cobalt oxide]]. ==Safety== Lithium carbonate is somewhat toxic. It is a [[base (chemistry)|base]], and reacts with strong acids. ==References== <references/> ==Related pages== *[[Lithium nitride]] *[[Lithium nitrate]] [[Category:Lithium compounds]] [[Category:Carbonates]]