Li4SiO4 based breeder ceramics with Li2TiO3, LiAlO2 and LiXLaYTiO3 additions, part I: Fabrication

The fabrication process was characterized with regard to its constancy and aptness for the anticipated pebble compositions by optical pebble size measurements. Also the phase content and the elemental composition of the fabricated pebbles were analyzed by XRD and ICP-OES combined with XRF, respectively. This work shows that the emulsion method is an appropriate method to produce pebbles with the anticipated Li2TiO3 and LiAlO2 concentrations in a Li4SiO4 matrix. However, Li4SiO4 and LixLayTiO3 react with each other to a number of different phases. To evaluate the activation properties of the pebbles, FISPACT calculations with a DEMO relevant neutron source are applied as well. The addition of aluminum seems to be unfavorable for a fusion application, but moderate concentrations of lanthanum can be tolerated.