Lithium Explained: Properties, Uses, and Safety Guide (2025)

TL;DR

• Lithium is the lightest metal, essential for high‑energy batteries and mood‑stabilizing meds.
• Its key properties: low density (0.53g/cm³), high electrochemical potential, and strong reactivity with water.
• Major uses in 2025: electric‑vehicle batteries, grid‑scale storage, psychiatric drugs, aerospace alloys.
• Extraction is shifting toward brine harvesting in South America; sustainability concerns are driving recycling pushes.
• Safety: avoid moisture, store under oil, wear gloves; medical dosing must be monitored to prevent toxicity.

What Lithium Is and Why It Matters

Lithium (chemical symbolLi, atomic number3) sits at the top of the alkali metal group. Its tiny atomic weight makes it the lightest solid element-so light that a cubic centimeter weighs less than a paperclip. This low density translates into high gravimetric energy when lithium atoms move in and out of a crystal lattice, which is why modern rechargeable batteries rely on it.

Beyond energy, lithium ions interact with the brain’s neurotransmitters. Since the 1970s, lithium carbonate has been the cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment, reducing manic episodes by stabilizing mood swings. The dual role-powering phones and calming minds-makes lithium a uniquely cross‑disciplinary element.

Key Physical and Chemical Properties

Understanding lithium starts with its core characteristics. The table below summarizes the most relevant numbers for engineers, doctors, and everyday readers.

Because lithium oxidizes instantly in moisture, it’s shipped in airtight, oil‑filled containers. The high negative electrode potential is the engine behind the 3.6-3.7V nominal voltage of Li‑ion cells, a stark jump from the ~1.2V of nickel‑metal hydride packs.

Major Applications in 2025

Three sectors dominate lithium demand today.

1. Electric‑Vehicle (EV) Batteries: Over 80% of new‑car lithium consumption goes to Li‑ion packs. A typical 60kWh pack contains roughly 10kg of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). As the International Energy Agency reports, global EV sales topped 15million units in 2024, pushing lithium demand past 1million tonnes.
2. Grid‑Scale Energy Storage: Utility‑scale batteries smooth renewable output. Projects like the 300MWh Hornsdale Power Reserve in Australia rely on hundreds of megawatt‑hours of lithium chemistry, proving that lithium’s power isn’t limited to cars.
3. Pharmaceuticals: Lithium carbonate and lithium citrate remain the only FDA‑approved mood stabilizers. Typical maintenance doses range 600‑1200mg per day, with serum levels tightly kept between 0.6‑1.2mmol/L to avoid toxicity.

Other niche uses include aerospace alloys (lithium‑aluminum for weight reduction), lubricants, and glass‑ceramics. While these niches are smaller, they influence specialty supply chains.

Extraction, Recycling, and Environmental Concerns

Most lithium comes from two sources:

• Hard‑rock mining in Australia’s Greenbushes mine-produces spodumene concentrate that’s later converted to LCE.
• Brine evaporation in the Lithium Triangle (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia). Solar‑driven ponds concentrate lithium salts over 12‑18months.

Both methods have trade‑offs. Hard‑rock mining is energy‑intensive, leading to a 15% higher carbon footprint per tonne of lithium compared with brines, according to a 2023 lifecycle analysis by the International Council on Mining & Metals. Brine extraction, however, raises water‑use concerns in arid regions, sometimes displacing agricultural supplies.

Recycling is closing the loop. In 2024, the EU launched the “Battery Directive 2.0,” mandating 70% collection of end‑of‑life Li‑ion batteries by 2030. Current recycling rates hover around 20% globally, but pilot plants in South Korea and the U.S. are reporting yields of up to 95% lithium recovery using hydrometallurgical processes.

For consumers, the takeaway is simple: buying devices with higher‑capacity batteries extends the useful life of lithium, and returning old phones to certified recyclers dramatically reduces the need for fresh extraction.

Safety, Handling, and Health Tips

Because lithium reacts explosively with water, the following safety rules are non‑negotiable for hobbyists, labs, or anyone storing the metal.

• Store under mineral oil or in an inert‑gas (argon) glove box. Never expose to humid air.
• Wear protective gloves, goggles, and a flame‑resistant lab coat. Even a tiny splash can generate hydrogen gas, a fire hazard.
• Dispose of waste according to local hazardous‑material regulations. Do not pour lithium residues down the drain.

When lithium is taken as a drug, the safety focus flips. Therapeutic dosing must be monitored with regular blood tests because symptoms of toxicity-tremor, nausea, renal impairment-appear once serum levels exceed 1.5mmol/L. Patients should avoid NSAIDs and diuretics that alter lithium clearance.

Key pro‑tips:

1. For EV owners, keep the battery management system (BMS) updated; firmware fixes can improve thermal safety.
2. When buying a refurbished phone, ask for the battery’s cycle count-lithium capacity drops ~20% after 300‑500 full cycles.
3. If you work in a lithium‑brine operation, use wear‑resistant boots and monitor groundwater for elevated salinity.

Mini‑FAQ

• Is lithium the same as lithium‑ion? No. Lithium is the elemental metal; lithium‑ion refers to the rechargeable battery chemistry that shuttles Li⁺ ions between electrodes.
• Can I eat foods high in lithium? Trace amounts exist in vegetables and nuts, but dietary lithium is far below therapeutic doses and has no proven health benefit.
• How long will the lithium supply last? Estimates vary, but most analysts assume current reserves and projected recycling will meet demand through at least 2050, provided extraction practices improve.
• What happens if a lithium battery catches fire? It can undergo a thermal runaway, releasing flammable electrolyte gases. Use a ClassD fire extinguisher or a lithium‑specific fire‑suppressant foam.
• Is lithium safe in pregnancy? Generally, lithium is avoided unless benefits outweigh risks, as it can cross the placenta and affect fetal thyroid function.

Next Steps & Troubleshooting

If you’re a consumer wanting to reduce personal lithium footprint:

• Choose devices with longer warranty and replaceable batteries.
• Participate in local e‑waste recycling programs.
• Consider solar‑powered chargers to offset the electricity used for charging.

If you’re a technician handling lithium metal:

• Double‑check that all storage containers are sealed and labelled.
• If you notice bubbling when lithium contacts moisture, evacuate the area and neutralize with a carbonate solution under a fume hood.
• Keep a ClassD fire extinguisher within arm’s reach.

If you’re a patient on lithium medication:

• Schedule blood‑level checks every 3‑6months.
• Maintain consistent fluid intake; dehydration spikes serum lithium.
• Inform any new prescriber about your lithium regimen to avoid drug interactions.

By aligning your actions with the guidance above, you’ll harness lithium’s benefits while keeping risks in check.