Lithium Carbonate (Li₂CO₃) is a white, odorless inorganic compound and the most widely traded lithium chemical globally. It serves as the primary commercial lithium compound and a key intermediate for batteries, ceramics, glass, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals.
Most downstream lithium products — including lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium metal, and battery cathode salts — originate from lithium carbonate.
Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate
Purity: ≥ 99.5 – 99.9 % Li₂CO₃
| Impurity | Max (ppm) |
|---|---|
| Sodium (Na) | < 300 |
| Potassium (K) | < 50 |
| Calcium (Ca) | < 50 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | < 50 |
| Iron (Fe) | < 10 |
| Sulfate | < 300 |
Key Characteristics:
• Ultra-low impurity levels
• Tight particle size distribution
• High chemical consistency and lithium assay stability
Applications:
• Lithium-ion battery cathodes (LFP, NMC, NCA)
• Conversion to battery-grade lithium hydroxide
• EV batteries and energy storage systems
Why Choose Battery Grade:
✔ Essential for battery life and safety
✔ Prevents cathode contamination
✔ Enables high-energy-density cells
Technical / Industrial Grade Lithium Carbonate
Purity: 99.0 – 99.5 % Li₂CO₃
Characteristics:
• Higher impurity tolerance (Na, Ca, Mg)
• Cost-effective and stable quality
• Less stringent QC than battery grade
Applications:
• Ceramics and glass manufacturing
• Lithium greases (lithium stearate)
• Metallurgy and aluminum fluxes
• Chemical synthesis of lithium salts
Why Choose Technical Grade:
✔ Lower cost
✔ Ideal for non-electrochemical uses
✔ Large-volume industrial consumption
Pharmaceutical Grade Lithium Carbonate
Purity: ≥ 99.5 % (USP / BP / EP compliant)
Characteristics:
• Strict heavy metal limits
• Controlled particle size
• Full batch traceability
Applications:
• Psychiatric medications (bipolar disorder)
• Controlled-dose tablets and capsules
Why Choose Pharma Grade:
✔ Human safety critical
✔ Regulatory compliance
✔ Pharmaceutical-grade consistency
High-Purity / Ultra-High-Purity Grade
Purity: 99.9 – 99.99 % Li₂CO₃
Applications:
• Research & development
• Semiconductor materials
• Specialty optics and advanced ceramics
Why Choose High-Purity Grade:
✔ Zero tolerance for contamination
✔ Precision material performance
✔ Research and high-tech applications
Glass & Ceramic Grade Lithium Carbonate
Purity: ~99.0 – 99.3 %
Applications:
• Glass manufacturing
• Ceramic bodies and glazes
• Enamels
Benefits:
✔ Excellent fluxing behavior
✔ Improved thermal shock resistance
✔ Cost-effective bulk processing
Physical Properties (Grade-Independent)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Molecular Weight | 73.89 g/mol |
| Density | ~2.11 g/cm³ |
| Decomposition Temperature | ~723 °C |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water |
| Mechanical Properties | Not applicable (non-structural) |
Grade Selection by Industry
| Industry | Preferred Grade |
|---|---|
| EV & Battery | Battery Grade |
| Ceramics & Glass | Technical / Ceramic Grade |
| Lubricating Grease | Technical Grade |
| Pharmaceuticals | Pharma Grade |
| R&D / Electronics | High-Purity Grade |
Why Lithium Carbonate Is Critical
✔ Primary lithium chemical globally traded
✔ Backbone of the battery raw material supply chain
✔ Versatile precursor to almost all lithium derivatives
✔ Easier storage and transport than lithium hydroxide
✔ Long shelf life and chemical stability