Fine and stable Li4SiO4 powders were successfully fabricated by using the precursor sols employing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as an organic carrier. For the homogeneous sols, 5 wt% PVA solution was added to the de-ionized water dissolving lithium nitrate and silica sol. The crystallization behavior and powder morphology were strongly dependent on the molecular weight of the PVA and its content. The dried precursor gels were fully crystallized to Li4SiO4 at 800 oC in an air atmosphere, and a finer particle size was observed in the synthesized powder prepared using a high degree of polymerized PVA. The synthesized powders were also sintered and the densification behavior was also examined. The powder compacts showed a good sinterability and some liquid phase was observed in the sintered Li4SiO4.

Keywords: Lithium orthosilicate, PVA Polymer, Synthesis, Powder, Microstructure.