Lithium carbonate, with the chemical formula Li₂CO₃, is an important inorganic lithium compound. It appears as a white, odorless crystalline powder, is slightly soluble in water, and its solubility decreases as the temperature rises—a unique property different from most inorganic salts. It is stable under normal temperature and pressure, and decomposes to produce lithium oxide and carbon dioxide only when heated to a high temperature (above 723°C).

Main Industrial Uses

Lithium-ion Battery Industry

It is a core raw material for manufacturing lithium battery cathode materials, including lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄), lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) and ternary cathode materials (NCM/NCA). It is also used to produce battery electrolytes, playing an irreplaceable role in the new energy vehicle and energy storage system industries.

Pharmaceutical Field

It is a classic mood stabilizer, clinically approved for the treatment and prevention of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive psychosis). It can effectively alleviate manic episodes and reduce the recurrence rate of the disease, with its mechanism related to regulating ion balance in nerve cells.

Ceramic and Glass Manufacturing

In ceramic production, it acts as a flux to lower the firing temperature, improve the compactness, gloss and mechanical strength of ceramic products, and enhance their corrosion resistance.

In glass production, it is added to formulas to make heat-resistant glass, optical glass and special glass, improving the glass’s thermal stability, transparency and refractive index.

Other Applications

Used as a flux in metallurgy to reduce the melting point of ores and promote smelting efficiency.

Applied in the production of lithium-based lubricants, air purification materials and lithium metal.

Serves as a raw material for synthesizing other lithium compounds (e.g., lithium hydroxide, lithium nitrate).