Lithium carbonate is an important
industrial chemical. Its main use is as a
precursor to compounds used in
lithium-ion batteries.
Glasses derived from lithium carbonate are useful in ovenware. Lithium carbonate is a common ingredient in both low-fire and high-fire
ceramic glaze. It forms low-melting
fluxes with
silica and other materials. Its
alkaline properties are conducive to changing the state of
metal oxide colorants in
glaze, particularly
red iron oxide ().
Cement sets more rapidly when prepared with lithium carbonate, and is useful for tile
adhesives. When added to
aluminium trifluoride, it forms
LiF which yields a superior
electrolyte for the processing of
aluminium.
Rechargeable batteries Lithium carbonate-derived compounds are crucial to
lithium-ion batteries. Lithium carbonate may be converted into
lithium hydroxide as an intermediate. In practice, two components of the battery are made with lithium compounds: the
cathode and the
electrolyte. The electrolyte is a solution of
lithium hexafluorophosphate, while the cathode uses one of several
lithiated structures, the most popular of which are
lithium cobalt oxide and
lithium iron phosphate.
Medical uses In 1843, lithium carbonate was used to treat stones in the
bladder. In 1859, some doctors recommended a therapy with lithium
salts for a number of
ailments, including
gout,
urinary calculi,
rheumatism,
mania,
depression, and
headache. In 1948,
John Cade discovered the anti-manic effects of lithium ions. This finding led to lithium carbonate's use as a
psychiatric medication to treat mania, the elevated phase of
bipolar disorder.
Mogens Schou and others continued Cade's research. They found that lithium is effective against both mania and depression, and has preventative effects. Lithium is also unique among medications in that it has anti-suicide properties in people with bipolar disorder or recurrent
depression. It has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of suicide by 87% in
clinical trials. In addition to its effects on suicide, lithium also reduces the risk of death from all causes in people with
mood disorders. Prescription lithium carbonate from a
pharmacy is suitable for use as medicine in humans but industrial lithium carbonate is not since it may contain unsafe levels of
toxic heavy metals or other
toxicants. After ingestion, lithium carbonate is
dissociated into
pharmacologically active lithium ions (Li+) and (non-therapeutic)
carbonate, with 300
mg of lithium carbonate containing approximately 8
mEq (8
mmol) of lithium ion. The usual dosage of lithium is 600-900 mg/day for the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. The exact dose of lithium given varies depending on factors such as the patient's
serum lithium concentrations, which must be closely monitored by a
physician to avoid
lithium toxicity and potential
kidney damage (or even
kidney failure) from
lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Mania is associated with irregular increases in
protein kinase C (PKC) activity within the brain. Lithium carbonate and
sodium valproate, another drug conventionally used to treat the disorder, act in the brain by inhibiting PKC's activity and help to produce other compounds that also inhibit the PKC. Lithium carbonate's mood-controlling properties are not fully understood.
Health risks Taking
lithium salts has risks and side effects. Extended use of lithium to treat mental disorders has been known to lead to acquired
nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Lithium toxicity can affect the
central nervous system and
renal system and can be lethal at levels above 2.0 mmol/L. Over a prolonged period, lithium can accumulate in the
principal cells of the collecting duct and interfere with
antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which regulates the water permeability of principal cells in the collecting tubule. The
medullary interstitium of the
collecting duct system naturally has a high sodium concentration and attempts to maintain it. There is no known mechanism for cells to distinguish lithium ions from sodium ions, so damage to the
kidney's
nephrons may occur if lithium concentrations become too high as a result of
dehydration,
hyponatremia, an unusually
low sodium diet, or certain drugs.
Red pyrotechnic colorant Lithium carbonate is used to
impart a red color to fireworks. ==Properties and reactions ==