Lithium Chloride (LiCl) is an inorganic lithium salt appearing as a white to off-white crystalline solid. It is highly hygroscopic and readily soluble in water and polar solvents. LiCl plays a critical role as an intermediate lithium chemical, electrolyte component, desiccant, and metallurgical reagent.
Commercial lithium chloride is supplied in several grades, differentiated primarily by purity, moisture control, and impurity limits, depending on industrial, battery, laboratory, or pharmaceutical requirements.
Industrial Grade Lithium Chloride
Purity: 98.0 – 99.5%
Applications:
• Chemical manufacturing
• Fluxes and brazing salts
• Desiccants and dehumidification systems
• Intermediate for other lithium salts
Advantages:
✔ Cost-effective
✔ High solubility
✔ Reliable for bulk industrial use
Battery Grade Lithium Chloride
Purity: ≥ 99.5 – 99.9%
Applications:
• Electrolyte preparation (molten salt systems)
• Lithium metal production (LiCl–KCl electrolysis)
• Advanced battery and solid-state research
Advantages:
✔ Very low Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe impurities
✔ Stable ionic conductivity
✔ Consistent electrochemical behavior
Reagent / Laboratory Grade Lithium Chloride
Purity: ≥ 99.0 – 99.5%
Applications:
• Pharmaceutical formulations
• Biochemical research
• Analytical laboratories
Advantages:
✔ Controlled heavy metal content
✔ High consistency
✔ Batch traceability
Pharmaceutical / High-Purity / Research Grade
Purity: ≥ 99.9%
Applications:
• Advanced materials research
• Semiconductor and specialty electronics
• Precision electrochemical studies
Advantages:
✔ Ultra-low metallic and non-metallic impurities
✔ High reproducibility
✔ Compliance with stringent purity standards
Comparison of Lithium Chloride Grades
| Grade | Purity | Primary Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Grade | 98.0 – 99.5% | Desiccants, fluxes, chemical synthesis |
| Battery Grade | ≥ 99.5 – 99.9% | Electrolytes, lithium metal production |
| Reagent / Lab Grade | ≥ 99.0 – 99.5% | Pharma, analytical research |
| Pharma / High-Purity | ≥ 99.9% | Advanced research, electronics |
Why Lithium Chloride Grades Matter
Lithium chloride’s hygroscopic nature, ionic conductivity, and chemical reactivity make purity control essential. Battery and electrochemical applications demand ultra-low impurity levels, while industrial uses prioritize cost efficiency and solubility.
Selecting the correct lithium chloride grade ensures optimal performance, safety, and process reliability across batteries, metallurgy, air-conditioning, pharmaceuticals, and advanced research.