Monoclinic Li2TiO3 nano-particles via hydrothermal reaction: Processing and structure

Pure phase Li2TiO3 nano-particles were synthesized via hydrothermal reaction using anatase TiO2 and LiOH·H2O at 200 °C. No development of the (002) supercell diffraction peak is exhibited in the XRD pattern. In contrast, by further calcination above 500 °C for 6 h in air, full development of the (002) supercell diffraction peak is observed. TEM observation and particle size analysis indicate that the general particle size is around 114 nm. HR-TEM observation and the 2D FFT analysis show that the layered structure corresponding to the LiTi2 layer is clearly developed. During calcination, additional Li ions diffuse into the supercell, corresponding with the diffusion of Ti ions away from the interslab into the slab, forming a more stable structure. Lithium insertion, corresponding with dissolution and precipitation mechanism is proposed for the formation of Li2TiO3.