Lithium

Lithium is the lightest alkali metal, a soft, highly reactive element with symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is used in rechargeable batteries, ceramics, and medicines.

Lithium-ion battery: A rechargeable battery that moves lithium ions between electrodes during charging and discharging. Lithium ions shuttle between electrodes to store and release electrical energy.
Lithium iron phosphate battery: A lithium-ion battery whose cathode uses lithium iron phosphate, valued for durability and thermal stability. This cathode chemistry is widely used in electric vehicles and stationary storage.
Johan August Arfwedson: A Swedish chemist who discovered lithium in the mineral petalite in 1817. Arfwedson identified the new element while analyzing petalite from a Swedish mine.
Sodium: A soft, highly reactive alkali metal with atomic number 11, located below lithium in the periodic table. Sodium-ion batteries substitute a more abundant, heavier alkali metal for lithium.
Lithium mining: The extraction of lithium-bearing minerals or brines for industrial supply. Expanding battery demand has increased pressure to develop lithium resources.
Lithium metal battery: A battery that uses metallic lithium as an anode, often paired with a nonaqueous electrolyte. Metallic lithium offers high energy density but creates dendrite and safety challenges.
Lithium cobalt oxide: A layered lithium metal oxide used as a cathode material in many rechargeable batteries. Its high energy density helped establish lithium batteries in portable electronics.
William Thomas Brande: An English chemist who isolated lithium metal by electrolysis in 1821. His work converted the newly identified element into an isolated metal.
Potassium: A soft, highly reactive alkali metal with atomic number 19, located below sodium in the periodic table. Its larger ions highlight the size advantage lithium has in compact electrochemical systems.
Lithium-ion battery recycling: The recovery of valuable materials from used lithium-ion batteries. Recycling can recover lithium and other metals while reducing waste and new extraction needs.

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