 |
| Synonyms:Lithium mononitrate Nitric acid lithium salt Lithium nitrate, anhydrous Lithium nitrate solution Molecular Formula:LiNO3 Molecular Weight: 68.95 HS Code: 2836920000 Grade:High-purity 99% Hazard Class:Class 5.1 | |||||||||
7790-69-4
bosschem
7790-69-4
Lithium Nitrate — Product Detail Page
Lithium nitrate (LiNO₃, CAS 7790-69-4) is a white, deliquescent crystalline salt of lithium and nitric acid, combining the lightest metal cation with a strong oxidizing nitrate anion. Its low melting point (≈ 255–264 °C), high thermal stability to ≈ 600 °C, unusual solubility in both water and polar organic solvents, and clean red flame color make it a versatile specialty salt across energy, manufacturing and specialty-chemical applications.
One salt, four core value propositions:
Lithium Battery Electrolyte Additive (Core Application):
● LiNO₃ additive in Li–S battery electrolytes — protects the lithium-metal anode and suppresses polysulfide shuttle;
Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage & Heat Treatment:
● low-melting component of nitrate molten salts for concentrated solar power (CSP) storage and for salt-bath heat treatment;
Pyrotechnics — Red Flame Oxidizer:
● oxygen source giving the characteristic crimson flame in fireworks and signal flares;
Ceramics, Glass & Laboratory Reagent:
● lithium source for glass-ceramics and glazes, and a high-purity analytical reagent.
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | Lithium nitrate |
Synonyms | Nitric acid, lithium salt (1:1); LiNO₃ |
CAS No. | 7790-69-4 |
EC No. (EINECS) | 232-218-9 |
Molecular Formula | LiNO₃ |
Molecular Weight | 68.95 g/mol |
Appearance | White crystalline powder; deliquescent |
Melting Point | 255–264 °C (source-dependent) |
Density | ≈ 2.38 g/cm³ |
Solubility | Freely soluble in water (deliquescent); soluble in methanol, ethanol and acetone |
Lithium nitrate is the lithium salt of nitric acid, LiNO₃ (MW 68.95). The small, strongly polarizing lithium cation and the oxidizing nitrate anion give a salt with an unusually low melting point (≈ 255–264 °C) that decomposes only near 600 °C to lithium oxide and nitrogen oxides. It is strongly deliquescent, freely soluble in water, and — unusually for a nitrate — also soluble in methanol, ethanol and acetone, which underpins its use in electrolyte and specialty formulations. The nitrate anion makes it a Class 5.1 oxidizer (UN 2722, PG III): it supports combustion and reacts exothermically with combustible and reducing materials.
Grade selection follows the application. Battery grade (low metallic impurities) serves lithium–sulfur battery electrolytes; industrial grade serves molten-salt, heat-treatment and ceramics applications.
● Low melting point with stability to ≈ 600 °C: broad molten-salt working window.
● Strong oxidizer (Class 5.1, UN 2722): clean oxygen source for pyrotechnic and specialty applications.
● Crimson flame color: the classic lithium red for fireworks and signal flares.
● Water and organic solubility: dissolves in water, methanol, ethanol and acetone.
● Battery-grade purity: low metallic impurities for electrolyte applications.
● Lightest alkali cation: high lithium content per kilo for lithium-introducing formulations.
● Consistent quality: controlled assay, impurity profile and appearance with COA.
Lithium nitrate is a key electrolyte additive in advanced lithium batteries, especially lithium–sulfur systems:
● Li–S battery electrolytes: additive that passivates the lithium-metal anode surface and suppresses the polysulfide shuttle;
● Lithium-metal protection: contributes a stable, low-resistance interphase that extends cycle life;
● Research electrolytes: standard additive in high-energy-density battery research formulations;
● Battery grade supplied with tight metallic-impurity control.
● Concentrated solar power (CSP): low-melting component of multi-component nitrate molten salts for thermal energy storage;
● Salt-bath heat treatment: component of molten nitrate baths for quenching, tempering and isothermal treatment;
● Heat-transfer fluids: thermal-stability contribution in high-temperature molten-salt systems;
● Phase-change and thermal-storage research: melting-point tuning of salt mixtures.
● Fireworks: oxygen-supplying oxidizer producing the crimson lithium flame;
● Signal flares: reliable red-burning composition for marine and road flares;
● Pyrotechnic compositions: controlled particle size and purity for consistent burn and color;
● Specialty oxidizer: clean nitrate oxygen source in energetic and reactive formulations.
● Glass and glass-ceramics: lithium source lowering thermal expansion and improving durability;
● Ceramic glazes and enamels: flux and lithium additive;
● Analytical reagent: high-purity grade for ICP and spectroscopy standards;
● Laboratory and synthesis: lithium nitrate as a mild oxidizing salt in specialty chemistry.
Packaging (customizable):
● 25 kg moisture-barrier drums or bags with PE liner; 500 kg / 1,000 kg big bags;
Storage:
● Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area; keep containers tightly closed;
● Separate from combustible materials, reducing agents, acids and organics (oxidizer — UN 2722, Class 5.1);
● Protect from moisture and humidity; avoid dust generation.
● Factory-direct supply: own production and sourcing capability, transparent pricing, no middleman markup;
● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested (assay, metallic impurities, appearance), COA with every shipment;
● Flexible specifications: industrial, battery, custom packaging; sample orders welcome;
● Export experience: experienced in dangerous-goods (UN 2722 Class 5.1) documentation and compliant sea/air shipping;
Lithium nitrate is used as an electrolyte additive in lithium–sulfur batteries (anode passivation and polysulfide-shuttle suppression), as a low-melting component of molten nitrate salts for concentrated solar power storage and salt-bath heat treatment, as the red-flame oxidizer in fireworks and signal flares, and as a lithium source in glass-ceramics plus a high-purity laboratory reagent.
In lithium–sulfur cells the nitrate anion is reduced on the lithium-metal anode to form a protective, conductive interphase, while its oxidizing character helps passivate the anode surface against parasitic reactions with dissolved polysulfides. The result is a more stable lithium surface, suppressed polysulfide shuttle and longer cycle life. Battery-grade lithium nitrate is supplied with tight metallic-impurity control for reproducible electrolyte formulations.
Lithium nitrate melts and stays thermally stable to ≈ 600 °C. Blended with sodium and potassium nitrates, it lowers the eutectic melting point of the salt mixture and increases heat capacity per volume, enabling lower freezing-point operation, higher energy density and safer thermal cycling in concentrated solar power (CSP) storage systems and in molten-salt heat-treatment baths.
Lithium nitrate is a UN 2722 Class 5.1 oxidizing solid (PG III): it supports combustion and reacts exothermically with combustible or reducing materials, so it must be stored and shipped separately from organics, fuels and reducing agents. It is irritating to eyes and skin, and its dust should not be inhaled. It is also strongly deliquescent — keep containers sealed in a dry environment. Handle with gloves and eye protection and follow the SDS for full guidance.
