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Lithium hydroxide monohydrate is one of the few strong bases that completely dissolves in water, forming lithium basic solvate. Although this chemical compound has numerous applications, it is popular in the chemical industry, where it is used to produce other lithium salts.
Lithium hydroxide monohydrate exists in the market in three different forms, including:
Granular form
Granular lithium hydroxide monohydrate is a relatively new form introduced to the market as an alternative to powdered monohydrate. Its fine particles tend to cake, making it hard to use in most applications. The granular form, on the other hand, is flowable, has better solubility in humid conditions, and is easy to handle and mix. Due to its physical properties, this monohydrate form is also good in lithium carbonate production and other lithium salts.
Powdered lithium hydroxide monohydrate
This is the most common form of monohydrate. It is fine, dry, and white, usually found in packets, bags, or containers. Although the powdered form can be used in numerous applications and industries, it is mostly used in lithium carbonate production as a delithiation reagent for acid leach liquors in lithium processing.
Technical-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate
Although it looks similar to analytical grade monohydrate, the technical-grade form often contains impurities. This form is often used in non-critical applications, such as lithium salt production, where absolute purity may not be required. One of the cheap lithium carbonate source and production solutions is the technical-grade monohydrate.
One of the most popular uses of lithium hydroxide monohydrate is for extracting lithium carbonate through the carbonation process. Then, lithium carbonate is often used in the manufacturing of lithium-based ceramics, glass, and other materials, where the demand for reducing thermal expansion is high. Lithium hydroxide monohydrate helps with the production of lithium salts such as lithium chloride and lithium sulfate, which are useful in industrial applications like moisture control and as catalysts in chemical reactions, respectively.
Often, lithium hydroxide monohydrate is used to prepare lithium greases, which are essential lubricants in automotive and machinery maintenance. This hydrate is used in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to manufacture cathode materials, which greatly improves energy density and stability in LIBs.
Other common areas where lithium hydroxide monohydrate is applied include the pharmaceutical industry for producing lithium-based drugs for treating mental health disorders, ion-exchange resins to help in water purification, and as an electrolyte in solid-state batteries.
When purchasing lithium hydroxide monohydrate, buyers should consider its grade as the manufacturer often treat each grade differently, depending on the application they are used for. For instance, pharmaceutical-grade monohydrate is highly pure and refined, while technical grade is less pure but often supplied at a lower price and used for less sensitive applications. Regarding quality and price, purity also affects the quality and price of lithium hydroxide monohydrate. High-purity forms may be required for specific industries like pharmaceuticals and electronics, while lower-purity forms can serve less critical applications like battery manufacturing and industrial processes.
Customers should also consider the source of lithium hydroxide monohydrate when choosing any technical product. Usually, the reputation of the supplier or manufacturer can greatly influence the quality of the product and its consistency. Famous brands often have a history of providing quality materials backed with reports. Local availability of the product can also be a deal for buyers when choosing lithium hydroxide monohydrate, as lithia is a highly hygroscopic substance that absorbs moisture from the environment. In some cases, when the ride of long-distance transportation affects the product, local sourcing can reduce such effects. Packaging and storage are also important factors to pay attention to when buying lithium hydroxide monohydrate, as the product's integrity heavily relies on the appropriate packaging and storage conditions.
The commercial value of lithium hydroxide monohydrate is determined by various factors. Some of them include quality, quantity, and market conditions. Usually, high-purity lithium hydroxide monohydrate is more expensive than technical-grade or lower-purity products. This is due to the additional processing costs required to refine the material. Prices can also be influenced by demand and supply volume. Increasing demand in key sectors like electric vehicle batteries, pharmaceuticals, and ceramics usually leads to higher prices, while oversupply can reduce prices.
Customarily, bulk purchases tend to have a lower price per unit due to economies of scale. In most cases, buyers purchasing large quantities for industrial applications often negotiate better prices than those acquiring smaller amounts. Packing also affects the price of lithium hydroxide monohydrate as prices are usually higher for products in bulk packages such as big bags or drums than in small containers. Since lithium hydroxide monohydrate is highly hygroscopic—meaning it can absorb water—the product will have a different weight at the time of shipment, affecting its price during transport.
Transportation costs are another pricing factor for this product. Typically, lithium hydroxide monohydrate is often shipped by road, rail, or sea, and the choice of shipping method influences the final cost. For instance, transporting over long distances often increases fuel and labor costs. Moreover, weather conditions during transportation also affect the product integrity and price.
Yes, this compound is often used to manufacture cathode materials applied in lithium-ion batteries, which are key to energy storage systems and electric vehicles.
Naturally, lithium hydroxide monohydrate is highly hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb moisture from the environment. This property makes it difficult to handle and store, as it tends to clump together and form hard aggregates. In some cases, improper storage can also lead to the product absorption of impurities and moisture, thus affecting its quality.
Lime and sodium hydroxide are the two most common lithium hydroxide monohydrates alternatives. Just like lithium hydroxide monohydrate, they are chemically similar and able to neutralize acids, but are more abundant and less expensive to produce.
Storing lithium hydroxide monohydrate in a cool, dry, and well-sealed container is one of the best ways to prolong its lifespan. Avoiding exposure to air and humidity is also effective in preventing caking and degradation in quality.
