Category: Alkali metal
Atomic Number: 3
Period: 2 | Group: 1
Block: s-block
The lightest metal, soft enough to cut with a knife and reactive enough to be stored under oil — the element that powers almost every rechargeable device you own.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Density | 0.53400000 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 453.65 K (180.50 °C) |
| Boiling Point | 1615.00 K (1341.85 °C) |
| Heat Capacity | N/A |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Mass | 6.9400 u |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 0.98 |
| Oxidation States | +1 |
| Electron Configuration | [He] 2s¹ |
| Discovered By | Johan August Arfwedson |
|---|---|
| Discovery Year | 1817 |
| Named After | Greek lithos, "stone" |
| ISOTOPE | Neutrons | Natural Abundance | Half-life | Decay Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Li-6 | 3 | 4.85% | Stable | - |
| Li-7 | 4 | 95.15% | Stable | - |
Data: IAEA Nuclear Data Section, LiveChart of Nuclides, ground-state evaluations, retrieved October 10, 2026. Abundance is the share of atoms in the natural element; a dash means the isotope has no standard natural abundance.
Applications
🔋 Energy Storage
Lithium-Ion Batteries : Tesla Model S contains 7,104 lithium-ion cells with 63 kg of lithium compounds
Consumer Electronics : Every smartphone, laptop, and tablet relies on lithium-ion technology
Electric Vehicle Batteries : BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, and Chevy Bolt use nickel-based layered-oxide (NMC-type) cathodes
Grid Energy Storage : Tesla Powerpack and Megapack systems store renewable energy using lithium-ion arrays
Primary Lithium Batteries : Non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries power pacemakers and smoke detectors
💊 Medical & Pharmaceutical Applications
Bipolar Disorder Treatment : Lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) and lithium citrate prescribed to 1+ million patients globally
Depression Treatment : Augmentation therapy with SSRIs for treatment-resistant depression
Cluster Headache Prevention : Lithium carbonate 300-900mg daily reduces frequency and intensity
Suicide Prevention : Studies show 13-fold reduction in suicide risk among lithium users
Neuroprotection : Research indicates potential for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease treatment
🏭 Industrial Manufacturing
Glass & Ceramics : Lithium oxide (Li₂O) reduces melting temperature and thermal expansion in glass-ceramic cookware such as CorningWare (Pyroceram)
Aluminum Production : Lithium fluoride flux improves conductivity and reduces energy consumption by 10-15%
Lubricating Greases : Lithium stearate creates high-temperature greases for aircraft and automotive applications
Air Purification : Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) removes CO₂ in spacecraft and submarines: 2LiOH + CO₂ → Li₂CO₃ + H₂O
Synthetic Rubber : Butyllithium initiates polymerization for high-performance tires and synthetic rubber
⚗️ Advanced Chemical Applications
Nuclear Fusion : Lithium-6 breeds tritium for fusion reactors: ⁶Li + neutron → ³H + ⁴He
Organic Synthesis : Organolithium reagents (like n-butyllithium) create carbon-carbon bonds in pharmaceutical manufacturing
Dehumidification : Lithium chloride (LiCl) absorbs moisture in industrial drying systems
Metallurgy : Lithium additions to aluminum and magnesium alloys improve strength and corrosion resistance
Global Sources & Extraction Methods
🏔️ Mineral Deposits
Lithium occurs in several mineral forms, each requiring different extraction techniques:
Hard Rock Sources
Spodumene (LiAlSi₂O₆) : 5-8% Li₂O content - major source in Australia, Canada
Petalite (Li[AlSi₄O₁₀]) : 2-5% Li₂O - first lithium mineral discovered
Lepidolite (mica) : 3-7% Li₂O - often contains rubidium and cesium
Extraction Process : 1050°C roasting converts spodumene to β-form, then acid leaching and precipitation
Brine Sources
Salar de Atacama (Chile) : World's largest, 2,800 ppm lithium concentration
Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) : 50% of world's reserves, challenging extraction conditions
Clayton Valley (Nevada) : Only operating lithium brine facility in North America
Extraction Process : Solar evaporation concentrates brine over 12-18 months from 0.2% to 6% Li₂CO₃
🌊 Advanced Extraction Technologies
Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE)
Selective Ion Exchange : Crown ethers and specialized resins selectively capture Li⁺ ions
Membrane Separation : Nanofiltration membranes separate lithium from other salts
Advantages : Faster processing (hours vs. months), higher recovery rates (>90%)
Applications : Geothermal brines, oilfield brines, and recycling applications
Geothermal Sources
Salton Sea (California) : 200-400 ppm lithium in geothermal brines
Cornish Lithium (UK) : Extracting lithium from geothermal energy production
Process Integration : Combined lithium extraction and renewable energy generation
♻️ Recycling & Sustainability
Battery Recycling : Umicore and Li-Cycle recover >95% lithium from spent batteries
Hydrometallurgical Process : Acid leaching followed by precipitation and purification
Pyrometallurgical Route : High-temperature smelting recovers lithium compounds
Circular Economy : Closed-loop recycling reduces mining pressure and environmental impact
🌍 Global Production
Major Producing Countries (2023) :
Australia : 61,000 tonnes (55% of global production) - primarily spodumene
Chile : 39,000 tonnes (35%) - brine extraction from Atacama Desert
China : 19,000 tonnes (17%) - mixed hard rock and brine sources
Argentina : 6,200 tonnes (6%) - brine operations in Salar del Hombre Muerto
Zimbabwe : 2,300 tonnes (2%) - pegmatite mining operations
| Earth's Crust | 0.0000200000 ppm |
|---|---|
| Universe | 0.0000000006 % |