Solvent effect on the sol-gel synthesis of lithium aluminate

Lithium aluminate was prepared from different alcohols as solvents. Aluminum sec-butoxide was dissolved with ethyl, isopropyl or n-butyl alcohol and hydrolyzed simultaneously with LiOH. The resulting solids were characterized by XRD, DTA, TGA and SEM. Lithium aluminates were also prepared by fusion and peroxide methods as comparison in thermal behavior. It was found that the precursors are semi-cristalline Al-Li mixed carbonates if ethyl or isopropyl alcohol was used, whereas a highly cristalline Al-Li hydroxyl was obtained with the n-butyl alcohol. In the ethyl and isopropyl calcined preparations (800 °C), the carbonates were partially eliminated, while the highest yield of γ-LiAlO₂ phase was obtained in the n-butyl sample.