Controlled synthesis of lithium containing complex oxide powders for functional materials

• Applicant: Dr. Flaurance Kenfack
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: from 2006 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 24144307

A plethora of methods uses powders as starting materials. For example, those leading to the production of ceramic or composites. To a large extent, the success of such procedures depends on the particle properties. Grain-size distribution, particle shape and surface properties are the most prominent. The present project is mainly devoted to the synthesis of lithium containing complex oxide powders for functional materials, e.g LiAl5O8, LiAlSiO4, with well defined particles shape. This aim will be achieved by the development of new and well-adopted sol-emulsion-gel procedures. Gel spheres with specific sizes will be produced through an appropriate choice of the process parameters (starting materials, rheology of the sol and stirring speed). To tailor surface properties of the particles, special attention will be paid on the reactivity of functional groups at the powder surface (e.g. by silanisations). The phase evolution resulting from the thermal treatment of gel spheres will be studied using X-ray powder diffractometry and thermal analysis (DTA/TG) methods. Relations between process parameters and particle properties (formed phases, grain-size distribution, surface polarity, rheological behaviour of appropriate suspensions) will be established for the optimization of the synthesis conditions.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• Host: Dr. Siegfried Vieth