Molten salt synthesis of spinel-type LiTi₂O₄

Abstract

Spinel-type LiTi₂O₄ was prepared directly by the reaction of lepidocrocite-type potassium titanate and molten LiCl at 750–850°C in a stream of H₂ gas. The Li/Ti ratio in the spinel-type phase prepared at 850°C was 0.54, and the lattice parameter and superconductive critical temperature T_c were a = 8.3935(2) Å and 12.3 K, respectively. The product at 750°C exhibited no superconductive diamagnetism down to 2.5 K, and the product at 800°C showed weak superconductive diamagnetism at 10.5 K. The morphology of the particles prepared at 850°C showed an irregular shape with a particle size of 1–10 µm.