Minor Metals in the Periodic Table

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6.941

Li - Lithium

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Lithium is a soft, silvery, highly reactive alkali metal. It is the least dense of all the solid elements (under normal conditions) as well as having the highest specific heat capacity of any solid element (3.489 J/g mol at 20°C). Due to the great temperature interval between melting and boiling points, 180.54°C and 1342°C respectively, one of lithium’s functions is as a heat transfer medium. When burnt, lithium turns the flame crimson, but the element itself burns bright white.

Lithium was discovered by Johan August Arfvedson in 1817 in Stockholm, Sweden, during an analysis of petalite. Arfvedson realised that a previously undiscovered metal was present, but was unable to separate it by electrolysis. A tiny amount was first isolated by William T. Brande in 1821, although it wasn’t until 1855 when Robert Bunsen and Augustus Matthiessen (independently) isolated the element by electrolysis of molten lithium chloride.

Lithium is sourced from igneous rocks, clays and natural brines. The main producers of lithium are the USA, Russia, China, Australia, Zimbabwe and Brazil, although the majority is manufactured in Chile from natural brines. Global production of lithium (both lithium ores and brine salts) is around 40,000 tonnes per year, with reserves of around 7 million tonnes, half of which are in salt lakes.

The main industrial use for lithium is in the stearatum form as lubricant grease’s thickener. It is also used in pottery as an additive to extend battery performance and its alloys are used to make high performace aircraft components. Lithium carbonate is used in medicine as an antidepressant for bi-polar disorder as well as in pottery. Lithium chloride and bromine form brine when mixed which absorbs humidity and is particularly useful in air conditioning units.

Lithium is flammable and produces toxic fumes when ignited. These are particularly toxic to humans, and cause a burning sensation and coughing. Ingestion of the element is also toxic and will cause abdominal pain. Lithium is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

Lithium was one of the three elements which was created as a result of the big bang, along with helium and hydrogen, but was also present in greater quantities in young stars. This suggests that it can be produced by a process other than just the big bang. Destruction of lithium in stars occurs when the nucleus is struck by a proton and converted into two helium atoms, which means it can be used to distinguish between red and brown dwarf stars as the red dwarf stars are hot enough to destroy the lithium atoms.