Preparation of Ternary Compound BaLi₂Ti₆O₁₄ by the Sol-Gel Process

Ceramic compound with the formula BaLi2Ti6O14 was prepared by sol-gel method at basic conditions, using ammonium hydroxide as hydrolysis catalyst. Some portions of gel sample obtained were heat treated at 200, 400, 600, and 800°C. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA-TGA), UV-Vis and FTIR. Crystalline phase was formed when a sample was treated at 800°C for 6h. This material has been previously synthesized by solid state reaction using temperatures as high as 900-1150°C for 2 to 10 days. The crystal structure of BaLi2Ti6O14 is similar to that corresponding strontium containing phase, SrLi2Ti6O14, which has been reported as catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of lower alkanes.