Synthesis of Lithium Metatitanate by Hydrolysis of Mixed Metal Alkoxide Solution

Abstract

Hydrous lithium metatitanate (Li₂TiO₂⋅nH₂O) fine particles were formed from the alcoholic solution of lithium and titanium alkoxides. Titanium tetraisopropoxide was added to the butanol or ethanol solution of lithium tert-butoxide, and then the mixed solution was hydrolyzed with H₂0-i-C₂H₂OH solution. In the case of Ti/Li mole ratio=0.5, the sharp XRD profiles of Li₂TiO₃only were observed in the XRD pattern of the precipitate when heattreated at 800°Cfor 1 h. The weight loss of 15% of the precipitate was observed due to dehydration in the temperature range from 100°C to about 800°C, which corresponded to n=1.4 in the chemical formula described above. The remarkable grain growth of the precipita te by the heat-treatment at 800°C for 1 h was recognized in the SEM observation; the wellshaped Li₂TiO₃ particles of about 200 nm in length was obtained.