Thermogravimetric study of the kinetics of lithium titanate reduction by hydrogen

• Li2TiO3 powder is synthesized by the gel combustion route.
• Activation energy of reduction of Li2TiO3 by H2 found out to be 27.45 kJ/mol H2.
• Non-stoichiometric phase of Li2TiO3 is formed in hydrogen atmosphere.
• One-dimensional diffusion appears to be the most probable mechanism of reduction.

The lithium titanate powder was synthesized by gel-combustion route. The mechanism and the kinetics of hydrogen interaction with lithium titanate powder were studied using non-isothermal thermogravimetric technique. Lithium titanate underwent reduction in hydrogen atmosphere which led to the formation of oxygen deficient non-stoichiometric compound in lithium titanate. One-dimensional diffusion appeared to be the most probable reaction mechanism. The activation energy for reduction of lithium titanate under hydrogen atmosphere was found to be 27.4 kJ/mol/K. Structural changes after hydrogen reduction in lithium titanate were observed in X-ray diffraction analysis.