Highly Sinterable Lithium Titanate Powders Fabricated by an Organic-Inorganic Solution Route

Highly sinterable lithium titanate (Li2TiO3) powder was fabricated by an organic-inorganic solution route. Liquid-type ethylene glycol (EG) was used as an organic carrier for the metal cations. Titanium isopropoxide and lithium nitrate were dissolved in the liquid-type ethylene glycol without any precipitation. The dried precursor gel showed crystalline form at 300 °C and carbon-free Li2TiO3 was observed above 400 °C. The primary particle size of the carbon-free Li2TiO3 was about 100 nm, and the structure of the crystallized powder was porous and agglomerated. The porous powder was ball-milled and easily ground to fine particles. The powder compact was densified to 93% theoretical density (TD) at relatively low sintering temperature of 1100 °C for 2 h. The densifed Li2TiO3 showed a small grain size of 1.2 μm. As well, the grain size was notably increased at 1200 °C and above. After the over grain growth, further densification was no more observed.