Combustion synthesis of lithium titanate (Li2TiO3) based ceramics

Full text: Lithium titanate (Li2TiO3) based ceramic has been proposed as breeding material for fusion reactor blankets. Using the concept of solution combustion synthesis, in the present investigation, Li2TiO3 based ceramic powders were synthesized using LiNO3 and meta-titanic acid as starting powders. The process yielded phase pure Li2TiO3 powder directly after combustion without any subsequent calcination step. The phase analysis and morphology of powders were studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy. The sinterability of the powder was studied by sintering at different temperature in the range of 900 - 1300 deg C. The sintering temperature and time were optimized to obtain a sintered density greater than 80% T.D. The preliminary results suggest that the present process is one of the appropriate synthesis methods for lithium titanate based ceramics for use in test blanket module (TBM) of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)