Synthesis of Li2TiO3 powder with high crystalline structure for tritium breeding material by ion-exchange process

Lithium metatitanate (Li2TiO3) is recognized as breeder material of fusion breeding blanket. The small particle size of breeder material enhances the tritium release characteristics, and the strict control of long-lived radionuclides is important for recycling of the used breeding material. Li2TiO3 powder with high crystalline structure was successfully synthesized by ion-exchange process. The powders synthesized with various molar ratios of starting materials and calcination temperatures were analyzed using XRD patterns. Furthermore, the particle size, morphologies and quantity of the impurities of the synthesized powder were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. The average particle size of the powder was roughly 700 nm. Regarding the long-lived radionuclides, the amount of aluminium was measured to be 22.31 ppm and cobalt was not detected. The synthesis method for Li2TiO3 powder with high crystalline structure by ion-exchange process was established. It also can be used to the breeding material fabrication.