Lithium salts (e.g., lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide) are used in many applications such as the production of electrolyte and cathode materials in lithium ion batteries. Furthermore, lithium hydroxide is used for the production of lithium stearate, an important lubricant for cars and airplanes. In addition, it is utilized as an air purifier due to its ability to bind carbon dioxide.

While the majority of lithium carbonate is used for aluminum production, it is also used for the glass and ceramic industry. Lithium carbonate lowers the melting point of these materials. Thus, the electricity costs are cheaper to produce them. Additionally, it is a treatment of mental illnesses such as depression or bipolar disorder.

For all of these applications, it is important to know the quality of the pure lithium salts used in the various production processes. This Application Note presents an easy method for the assay of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate on an automated OMNIS system.

For both assays, reproducible results with relative standard deviations below 0.4% (n = 5) are obtained. Additionally, carbonate impurities within the lithium hydroxide sample can be detected.