Lithium cobalt oxide facts for kids
Lithium cobalt oxide is a special kind of chemical compound that has the chemical formula LiCoO2. You might also hear it called lithium cobaltate or lithium cobaltite. It looks like a dark blue or bluish-gray solid material.
This compound is super important because it's a key ingredient in the positive electrodes of lithium-ion batteries. These are the batteries that power many of your favorite gadgets, like smartphones, laptops, and even electric cars!
How Lithium Cobalt Oxide is Made
Making lithium cobalt oxide involves a careful process. Scientists create it by heating a precise mixture of two other chemicals: lithium carbonate and cobalt(II,III) oxide. Sometimes, they might even use metallic cobalt instead of cobalt(II,III) oxide.
This mixture is heated to very high temperatures, usually between 600 and 800 degrees Celsius. After that, it's "baked" again at an even higher temperature, around 900 degrees Celsius, for many hours. This whole process happens in an environment filled with oxygen gas. This careful heating and baking helps the chemicals combine perfectly to form the lithium cobalt oxide.
Images for kids
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This diagram shows how tiny lithium cobalt oxide particles are made.
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See also
- In Spanish: Óxido de litio y cobalto para niños
