What is lithium nitrate?
Lithium nitrate is an inorganic salt with the molecular formula LiNO₃ and a molecular weight of 68.95.
Lithium nitrate is usually a colorless crystals, hygroscopic, and highly hygroscopic. The melting point is approximately 264°C, the relative density is 2.38, and the boiling point is 600°C (decomposition). It is soluble in about 2 parts of water and ethanol.
Lithium nitrate has strong oxidizing properties. Friction or impact with organic substances can cause combustion or explosion. It decomposes when heated to the boiling point. Its stability is average. Prohibited substances are reducing agents and flammable or combustible substances. It should avoid heating and contact with these substances. In chemical reactions, it may not polymerize, but when heated and decomposed, it will release toxic nitrogen oxide gases. The decomposition products include nitrogen oxides and lithium oxide.
In which fields is lithium nitrate applied?
- Industrial field: It is used for manufacturing ceramics and fireworks. It is the raw material for generating red flames in fireworks devices and is also used for manufacturing bullets for signal rockets and signal guns; it can be used as a molten salt bath; it is also applied in rocket fuels; it can also be used as the working medium in refrigerators.
- Chemical field: It is used as an analytical reagent and plays a role in chemical experiments and analyses; it is a heat exchange carrier; it can be used for the production of phosphors, lithium salts, and other lithium salt manufacturing.
- Other aspects: It is used as a stabilizer for liquid ammonia in ammonia refrigeration equipment; it can form low-melting-point molten salt mixtures with other nitrates or salts.