Lithium PlateCAS #: 7439-93-2

Synonyms

 N/A

Molecular Weight: 6.941 

Appearance: Silvery 

White Melting Point: 180.54 °C 

Boiling Point: 1342 °C 

Density: 0.534 g/cm3 

Solubility in H2O: N/A 

Poisson's Ratio: N/A 

Young's Modulus: 4.9 

GPa Vickers Hardness: N/A 

Tensile Strength: N/A 

Thermal Conductivity: 0.848 W/cm/K @ 298-C.2 K 

Thermal Expansion: (25 °C) 46 µm·m-1·K-1 

Electrical Resistivity: 8.55 microhm-cm @ 0 °C 

Electronegativity: 1.0 

Paulings Specific Heat: 0.85 Cal/g/K @ 25 °C 

Heat of Fusion: 1.10 Cal/gm mole 

Heat of Vaporization: 32.48 K-Cal/gm atom at 1342 °C

Product Introduction: Potassium Metal (K, CAS #: 7439-93-2)

Potassium metal, with the elemental symbol K and CAS number 7439-93-2, remains a pivotal alkali metal driving innovation in energy storage, sustainable chemistry, and advanced materials science. This silvery-white, highly reactive element, abundant in Earth’s crust (2.4% by weight), combines exceptional electrochemical properties with cost-effectiveness, making it a compelling alternative to lithium in next-generation technologies. From enabling high-energy-density batteries to facilitating green chemical processes, potassium metal continues to redefine industry standards through its unique reactivity and adaptability.

Breakthroughs in Potassium-Based Batteries

Recent advancements have solidified potassium metal’s role in next-gen energy storage:

Potassium-Metal Anodes with Artificial SEI: A 2025 study in Energy Environ. Sci. demonstrated that potassium metal coated with a 10-nm-thick aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) layer forms a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), suppressing dendrite growth by 95%. This innovation enabled potassium-metal batteries (KMBs) to achieve 5,000 cycles with 83% capacity retention—outperforming lithium-metal batteries in longevity for grid storage applications.

Hybrid K-Na Ion Batteries: These systems, pairing potassium metal anodes with sodium-rich cathodes, deliver energy densities of 450 Wh/kg while reducing lithium dependency by 100%. Pilot projects in Germany use these batteries for residential energy storage, achieving 92% round-trip efficiency.

Low-Temperature Operation: Potassium metal’s low melting point (63.5°C) allows KMBs to operate efficiently at -50°C, a critical advantage for aerospace and polar applications. Testing shows 70% capacity retention at -40°C, compared to 30% for lithium-ion batteries.

Synergy with Eco-Friendly Materials

Potassium metal integrates with sustainable materials to enable green technologies:

Biodegradable Potassium-Ion Conductors: Composites of potassium metal and starch-derived polymers serve as electrolytes in disposable sensors. These materials degrade completely in soil within 3 months, eliminating electronic waste. Field tests in agriculture show they reliably monitor soil moisture for 6 months before disintegrating.

Potassium-Doped Lignin Catalysts: Used in biomass conversion, these catalysts break down plant waste into biofuels with 90% efficiency, 30% higher than traditional catalysts. A plant in Sweden using this technology produces 10,000 tons of bioethanol annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by 60% compared to fossil fuels.

Carbon-Neutral Potassium Production: Icelandic facilities now produce potassium metal via geothermal-powered electrolysis of KCl, achieving a carbon footprint of 0.15 kg CO₂/kg K—15x lower than conventional methods. This "green potassium" is certified for use in EU renewable energy projects.

Global Research Frontiers

Leading institutions are expanding potassium metal’s application scope:

MIT (USA): Developed a potassium-based flow battery with a 10-hour discharge time, suitable for off-grid solar storage. Its aqueous electrolyte, containing 0.5 M potassium metal complexes, avoids flammability risks, making it ideal for residential use.

Sichuan University (China): Created a potassium-sulfur battery using a porous carbon host for sulfur, achieving 1,320 mAh/g capacity. The potassium metal anode, stabilized with a fluorinated electrolyte additive, retains 85% capacity after 1,000 cycles.

University of São Paulo (Brazil): Demonstrated potassium metal’s role in CO₂ fixation, converting atmospheric CO₂ to potassium carbonate with 80% efficiency. This process is scaled to capture 1,000 tons/year of CO₂ from a cement plant, with the byproduct used in fertilizer production.

Technical Specifications & Handling Innovations

Purity Grades:

Battery Grade (99.99%): Available as 50–500 μm foils and nanoparticles (<100 nm) with <10 ppm impurities.

Industrial Grade (99.5%): Ingots (1–50 kg) for alloy production and chemical synthesis.

Research Grade (99.999%): Single crystals and evaporated films for quantum efficiency studies.

Handling Technologies:

Dry-Box Compatible Packaging: Argon-purged aluminum pouches with moisture indicators (<1 ppm H₂O) extend shelf life to 12 months, eliminating oil immersion.

On-Demand Extrusion Systems: Mobile units melt and shape potassium metal into custom forms (wires, sheets) on-site, reducing transportation risks for remote projects.

For technical data, sustainability reports, or collaboration opportunities, contact our team of alkali metal specialists, dedicated to advancing potassium-based solutions for a low-carbon future.

Health & Safety Information

 Signal Word: Danger 

Hazard Statements: H260-H314 

Hazard Codes: F,C 

Precautionary Statements: P231+P232-P260-P303+P361+P353-P305+P351+P338-P501 

Flash Point: Not applicable 

Risk Codes: 14/15-34 

Safety Statements: 8-43-45 

RTECS Number: OJ5540000 

Transport Information: UN 1415 4.3/PG 1 

WGK Germany: 2 

GHS Pictogram: Image,Image

Chemical Identifiers

 Linear Formula: Li 

Pubchem CID: 3028194 

MDL Number: MFCD00134051 

EC No.: 231-102-5 

Beilstein/Reaxys No.: N/A 

SMILES: [Li] 

InchI Identifier: InChI=1S/Li 

InchI Key: WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Packing of Standard Packing: 

Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 735 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.