Removal of lithium nitride from lithium metal

摘要

A process for the removal of lithium nitride from lithium metal by adding to liquid lithium metal containing lithium nitride, at a temperature between the melting point of lithium and 300 DEG C., with agitation, a stochiometric quantity of aluminum to react with the lithium nitride, in an inert, nitrogen free atmosphere, continuing the agitation for at least one hour to form aluminum nitride and separating the aluminum nitride from the liquid lithium metal.