Solvent effect on the sol-gel synthesis of lithium aluminate

Lithium aluminate was prepared from different alcohols as solvents. Aluminu m sec-butoxide was dissolved with ethyl, isopropyl or n-butyl alcohol and h ydrolyzed simultaneously with LiOH. The resulting solids were characterized by XRD, DTA, TGA and SEM. Lithium aluminates were also prepared by fusion and peroxide methods as comparison in thermal behavior. It was found that t he precursors are semi-cristalline Al-Li mixed carbonates if ethyl or isopr opyl alcohol was used, whereas a highly cristalline Al-Li hydroxyl was obta ined with the n-butyl alcohol. In the ethyl and isopropyl calcined preparat ions (800 degreesC), the carbonates were partially eliminated, while the hi ghest yield of gamma -LiAlO2 phase was obtained in the n-butyl sample. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.