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The lithium–air battery (Li–air) is a metal–air electrochemical cell or battery chemistry that uses oxidation of lithium at the anode and reduction of oxygen at the cathode to induce a current flow. [1] Pairing lithium and ambient oxygen can theoretically lead to electrochemical cells with the highest possible specific energy.
Lithium will ignite and burn in oxygen when exposed to water or water vapor. In moist air, lithium rapidly tarnishes to form a black coating of lithium hydroxide (LiOH and LiOH·H 2 O), lithium nitride (Li 3 N) and lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3, the result of a secondary reaction between LiOH and CO 2). [48]
Even with this proviso, the electrode potentials of lithium and sodium – and hence their positions in the electrochemical series – appear anomalous. The order of reactivity, as shown by the vigour of the reaction with water or the speed at which the metal surface tarnishes in air, appears to be Cs > K > Na > Li > alkaline earth metals,
The reversible lithium peroxide reaction is the basis for a prototype lithium–air battery. Using oxygen from the atmosphere allows the battery to eliminate storage of oxygen for its reaction, saving battery weight and size. [8]
Water-reactive substances [1] are those that spontaneously undergo a chemical reaction with water, often noted as generating flammable gas. [2] Some are highly reducing in nature. [ 3 ] Notable examples include alkali metals , lithium through caesium , and alkaline earth metals , magnesium through barium .
Pyrophoric materials are often water-reactive as well and will ignite when they contact water or humid air. They can be handled safely in atmospheres of argon or (with a few exceptions) nitrogen. Class D fire extinguishers are designated for use in fires involving pyrophoric materials.
Burning lithium metal produces lithium oxide. Lithium oxide forms along with small amounts of lithium peroxide when lithium metal is burned in the air and combines with oxygen at temperatures above 100 °C: [3] 4Li + O 2 → 2 Li 2 O. Pure Li 2 O can be produced by the thermal decomposition of lithium peroxide, Li 2 O 2, at 450 °C [3] [2] 2 Li ...
Lithium is a highly reactive alkali metal that is widely used in various industrial applications due to its unique properties. Lithium compounds are formed by combining lithium with other elements, such as oxygen , sulfur , and chlorine , to form different chemical compounds.