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.