Dilithium;hydroxide

UsesThere are no current industrial uses which consume large quantities of lithium oxide. Lithium oxide is used as a flux in ceramic glazes; and creates blues with copper and pinks with cobalt. Lithium oxide reacts with water and steam, forming lithium hydroxide and should be isolated from them.Its usage is also being investigated for non-destructive emission spectroscopy evaluation and degradation monitoring within thermal barrier coating systems. It can be added as a co-dopant with yttria in the zirconia ceramic top coat, without a large decrease in expected service life of the coating.

UsesLithium oxide is a strong alkali that absorbs carbon dioxide and water from the atmosphere. It is used in manufacturing ceramics and special types of glass.

UsesCeramics and special glass formulations, carbon dioxide absorbent.Lithium oxide is used as a flux in ceramic glazes, co-dopant with yttria in the zirconia ceramic top coat and as the cathode in the lithium ion batteries, which is used in power electronic devices like mobile phones, laptop computers and battery-powered cars. It is also used to prepare lithium hydroxide and lithium metal by electrolysis.

General DescriptionLithium oxide is a white crystalline solid. Its a strong base. It reacts with water and forms lithium hydroxide.

PreparationLithium oxide is prepared by heating lithium metal in dry oxygen above 100°C: 4Li + O2→2Li2O Another method of preparation that yields pure lithium oxide involves thermal decomposition of lithium peroxide: 2Li2O2→2Li2O + O2 Also, the oxide can be produced by heating the pure lithium hydroxide at 800°C in a vacuum: 2LiOH→Li2O + H2O

PreparationIndustrial and laboratory preparations. Only small volumes of material are prepared industrially. Both industrial and laboratory preparations require the thermal decomposition of lithium peroxide or of lithium hydroxide. Lithium peroxide, Li202 , is converted to lithium oxide, Li20, and oxygen by heating to 450° in a stream of helium gas. Thermal dehydration of lithium hydroxide is carried out at 675°C±10° under vacuum in a nickel container lined with silver foil. Lithium carbonate may be converted to lithium oxide and carbon dioxide by heating the material to 700°C under vacuum in a platinum boat. Industrial uses. There are no current industrial uses which consume large quantities of lithium oxide. Lithium oxide reacts with water as it dissolves to form a solution of lithium hydroxide. Lithium oxide is a strong base and reacts typically with acidic gases and liquids to form lithium salts. At elevated temperatures, lithium oxide also reacts with many solid nonmetal oxides (Si02, B2O3, etc.) and metal oxides (A1203 , Fe2C>3, etc.). High-temperature reactions are the basis for the fluxing action of lithium oxide, lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. Care must be taken to avoid the reaction of lithium oxide with reaction vessels at high temperatures.