Lithium sulfate

October 2019

Formula: Li₂SO₄·H₂O

Properties

Crystal system: monoclinic
Crystal shape: flat, tabular prisms with elongated hexagonal base and slant sides.
Color: colorless
Stability on air: stable

I prepared it by reaction of lithium hydroxide and dilute sulfuric acid:

2LiOH + H₂SO₄ = Li₂SO₄ + H₂O

As always, I used slow evaporation method to grow the crystals. Growing was complicated by very strong tendency of lithium sulfate solution to creep.

It seems that pH affects crystal morphology: alcaline pH produces very thin plates, while from acidic solutions thicker plates grow.

Lithium has low acute toxicity, but consumption of it must be avoided.