A fine lithium titanate (Li2TiO3) powder was fabricated by an organic-inorganic solution route and its densification behavior was observed. Liquid-type ethylene glycol (EG) was used as an effective organic carrier for the dissolution of metal cations. Titanium isopropoxide and lithium nitrate were dissolved in the liquid-type ethylene glycol without any precipitation. The dried precursor gel showed a Li2TiO3 crystalline form at a low temperature of 300oC and a carbon-free Li2TiO3 was observed above 400oC. The calcined Li2TiO3 powder showed a soft and porous structure, and was ground easily to fine particles of 0.2 μm in size. The powder compact was densified to 91% theoretical density (TD) at a relatively low sintering temperature of 1200oC for 2 h. A significant densification was observed between at 800oC to 1100oC and the grain size was notably increased at 1200oC and above. After the abnormal grain growth, further densification was no longer observed because of the trapped pores in the over-sized grains.

Keywords: Lithium titanate, Ethylene glycol, Synthesis, Sintering, Microstructure.