Li₂SiO₃ fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and evaluation of its water vapor and CO₂ absorption properties

A series of lithium metasilicate (Li₂SiO₃) powder materials has been successfully synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal route using lithium hydroxide and tetraethyl-orthosilicate-derived sol precursors. Ceramic powders were obtained under hydrothermal conditions of autogenous pressure in the presence of a nonionic surfactant. The production of pure and well-crystallized Li₂SiO₃ using very short reaction times at low temperatures was shown by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and N₂ adsorption-desorption analyses. Synthesized Li₂SiO₃ particles were nanocrystalline and exhibited different morphologies and specific surface areas depending on the synthesis conditions. Additionally, the capability of selected Li₂SiO₃ samples to absorb H₂O and CO₂ was evaluated via thermogravimetric analyses by varying the temperature, carrier gas, and water vapor concentration. Li₂SiO₃ particles exhibited interesting textural and morphological characteristics that make them suitable for use as a CO₂ absorbent and which suggest that they also have the potential to be used in other applications.