Characterization and improvement of water compatibility of γ-LiAlO2 ceramic breeders

The influence of water treatment at 473 K on the phase and morphology of the γ-LiAlO2 ceramics was studied. It was implied that a AlO(OH) layer was formed on the surface of the γ-LiAlO2 ceramics, at the same time LiAl2(OH)7·xH2O was obtained in the water. The process of the interaction between γ-LiAlO2 ceramics and water was deduced. The attempts to improve the water compatibility of γ-LiAlO2 ceramics were made. It was confirmed that the surface modification by LiAl5O8 decreased the surface alkalinity and restrained the hydrolysis of the γ-LiAlO2 ceramics in water due to the low hydrolysis of the lithium deficient phase LiAl5O8. The experimental results revealed that the introduction of the lithium deficient phase, LiAl5O8, effectively improved the water compatibility of the γ-LiAlO2 ceramics.