Properties
Upon thermal decomposition, LiNO3 gives lithium oxide (Li2O), nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen:
- 4 LiNO3 → 2 Li2O + 4 NO2 + O2
Other group I nitrates decompose differently, forming the nitrite salt and oxygen. Because of its relatively small size, the lithium cation is very polarizing, which favors the formation of the oxide.
Lithium nitrate is also a very good oxidizing agent. Today LiNO2 is used in submarines and spacecraft for absorbing excess carbon dioxide in the air.
LiNO2 is also denser than water.
Read more about this topic: Lithium Nitrate
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