Process of Thermal Decomposition of Lithium Carbonate

In recent years, the methods of lithiumLithium preparation by metallothermic reduction of its oxide in negative pressure have been developed. Since Li2CO3 was considered as an important raw material for the preparation of Li2O, it is important to clarify the decomposition and melting mechanisms of Li2CO3. The behaviors of decomposition of lithium carbonateLithium carbonate under argon, carbon dioxide, and negative pressure were studied by thermogravimetric behavior. Results showed that the decomposition of Li2CO3 can be divided into two steps and the mass loss under different atmospheric conditions is different. The first decomposition temperatureTemperature of carbonate was 1000 K in argon gas. Decomposition of lithium carbonateLithium carbonate was a complex process, including the multiple reactions such as melting of lithium carbonateLithium carbonate , dissolution of Li2O and CO2 in Li2CO3, and adsorption of CO2 in Li2O. The first step of the decomposition is reduced, and the second step of the decomposition is increased in carbon dioxide atmosphere or negative pressure, compared with the condition of the argon gas.