Solution combustion synthesis of high surface area Li2TiO3 nanostructure particles: Effect of nitric acid and NaCl addition

Nano/mesoporous-structured Li2TiO3 powders were synthesized by solution combustion method using citric acid as fuel. Effect of nitric acid and NaCl addition on the molecular, structure, microstructure, and the specific surface area of powders was studied. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized with different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and BET analysis. The XRD patterns showed the formation of monoclinic structure of Li2TiO3, while FTIR spectra confirm the absorption band corresponding to the metal - O stretching vibrations. The SEM micrographs showed that highly agglomerated powders and porous microstructures were formed. Specific surface area, mean pore size, and pore volume of the samples were obtained by BET analysis and confirmed the nano/meso scale of the pores. Moreover, the results showed that nitric acid addition, as a secondary oxidant, up to 9 L per molar fuel helped to complete combustion reaction. Furthermore, adding NaCl increased specific surface area of nanopowders considerably. A mechanism for the role of NaCl during the combustion reaction was suggested.

Automated summary

Nano/mesoporous Li2TiO3 powders were synthesized using a solution combustion method with citric acid as fuel. The effects of nitric acid and NaCl addition on the powders' properties were studied. The results showed that the addition of nitric acid improved combustion reaction, while adding NaCl significantly increased the specific surface area of the powders.