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Lithium nitrate Lithium nitrate is an inorganic compound with
the formula LiNO3. It is the lithium salt of nitric acid. It is made by reacting lithium
carbonate or lithium hydroxide with nitric acid.
Uses This deliquescent colourless salt is an oxidizing
agent used in the manufacture of red-colored fireworks and flares.
Lithium Nitrate has been proposed as a medium to store heat collected from the sun for cooking.
A Fresnel lens would be used to melt solid lithium nitrate, which would then function
as a 'solar battery', allowing heat to be redistributed later by convection.
LiNO3 is utilized in solute-solvent interactions at decreasing temperatures (i.e. 329-290 K)
which in affect, can be used to transport ions in binary solutions of molten acetamide.
Currently, lithium nitrate is being tested to see if it can be applied to concrete-pavement
to withstand weathering effects. In the lab, LiNO3 is commonly bound to a trihydrate
ion in order to test bifureated hydrogen bonds within crystal structures of molecules which
can correlate to hydrogen bond strength. Lithium nitrate is also used as a catalyst
which accelerates the breakdown of nitrogen oxides, through oxidation, found in soot.
Synthesis Lithium nitrate can be synthesized by reacting
nitric acid and lithium carbonate. Li2CO3 + 2HNO3 → 2LiNO3 + H2O + CO2
Generally when forming LiNO3, a pH indicator is used to determine when all of the acid
has been neutralized. However, this neutralization can also be recognized with the loss of carbon
dioxide production. In order to rid the final product of excess water, the sample is heated.
Properties Upon thermal decomposition, LiNO3 gives lithium
oxide (Li2O), nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen: Other group I nitrates decompose differently,
forming the nitrite salt and oxygen. Because of its relatively small size, the lithium
cation is very polarizing, which favors the formation of the oxide.
Lithium nitrate is also a very good oxidizing agent. Today LiNO3 is used in submarines and
spacecraft for absorbing excess carbon dioxide in the air.
Lithium nitrate is also denser than water. Toxicity
Lithium nitrate can be toxic to the body when ingested by targeting the central nervous
system, thyroids, kidneys, and cardio-vascular system. When exposed to the skin, eyes, and
mucous membranes, lithium nitrate can cause irritation to these areas.