Additives affecting properties of β-Li₂TiO₃ pebbles in a modified indirect wet chemistry process

Lithium metatitanate (β-Li₂TiO₃) pebbles were fabricated via the modified indirect wet chemistry method. Effect of varied additives, as polyvinyl alcohol, glycerol, and agar on the properties evolution was investigated. The highest density is obtained by adding 2 wt% (weight percent) polyvinyl alcohol, 3 wt% glycerol, and 3 wt% agar, respectively. β-Li₂TiO₃ pebbles with relative sintered density of 92.4%T.D. (Theoretical Density), the ratio of the intensity of diffraction peak (002) to that of (−133) of about 2.93, about 1.58 mm in diameter, a better sphericity of 1.02, the particle size of 5–6 μm, and the well-developed surface layered structure are successfully fabricated with 3 wt% glycerol. Glycerol is beneficial to improving the properties by other fabrication method as well. - Highlights: • Polyvinyl alcohol, glycerol, and agar were used to prepare β-Li₂TiO₃ pebbles. • Properties of the β-Li₂TiO₃ pebbles were governed by the additives. • Glycerol is beneficial to improving the properties of β-Li₂TiO₃ pebbles.