Question

What is the formula of lithium nitride?

Answer 1

Hint: To know the formula of lithium nitride, we should go through the whole concept and the preparation or the extraction of lithium nitride. We will also discuss more about the lithium nitride.

Complete step by step answer:
Lithium nitride is a compound with the formula \[L{i_3}N\] . It is the only stable alkali metal nitride. The solid is a red or purple colour and has a high melting point.
Lithium nitride shows ionic conductivity for \[L{i^ + }\] , with a value of $c$ , \[2 \times {10^{ - 4}}{\Omega ^{ - 1}}c{m^{ - 1}}\] , and an (intracrystal) activation energy of $c$ , \[0.26eV\]\[\left( {\;24\;kJ/mol} \right)\] . Hydrogen doping increases conductivity, whilst doping with metal ions \[\left( {Al,{\text{ }}Cu,{\text{ }}Mg} \right)\] reduces it. The activation energy for lithium transfer across lithium nitride crystals (intercrystalline) has been determined to be higher at \[\;68.5{\text{ }}kJ/mol\] . The alpha form is a semiconductor with a band gap of \[c\,2.1\;eV\] .
Lithium nitride has been investigated as a storage medium for hydrogen gas, as the reaction is reversible at \[270\;^\circ C\] . Up to \[11.5\% \] by weight absorption of hydrogen has been achieved. Reacting lithium nitride with carbon dioxide results in amorphous carbon nitride, a semiconductor, and lithium cyanamide , a precursor to fertilizers, in an exothermic reaction.

Note: Lithium nitride contains the \[{N^{3 - }}\] ion. And lithium is one of the few materials that will directly fix dinitrogen:
\[3Li + \dfrac{1}{2}{N_2} \to L{i_3}N\]