Li3N has an unusual crystal structure that consists of two types of layers, one sheet has the composition Li2N- contains 6-coordinate Li centers and the other sheet consists only of lithium cations. Solid lithium nitride is a fast ion conductor and has the highest conductivity of any inorganic lithium salt. It has been studied extensively as a solid electrolyte and an anode material for use in batteries. It can be formed by direct reaction of the elements, either by burning lithium metal in pure nitrogen gas or by reacting nitrogen gas with lithium dissolved in liquid sodium metal.