Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Solid”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,225 records · Page 68

Phosphonate functionalized magnetic mesoporous silica for rare earth element recovery from citrate assisted solid waste extracts

The growing high demand of rare earth elements (REEs) has prompted extensive research on REE recovery from waste streams. This study reports the synthesis and evaluation of phosphonate-functionalized magnetic mesoporous silica (MMS-PP) for REE recovery from the acidic extracts of solid wastes. MMS-PP was synthesized using surfactant template and post-synthesis methods, and tested using simulated and real extraction solutions from citrate-assisted REE extracts from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash. The organic-inorganic hybrid MMS-PP was evaluated for La recovery from 50 mM simulated citrate extract, with the adsorption capacity of 13.5 mg/g compared to ∼2.5 mg/g for non-functionalized MMS. The MMS-PP material exhibited fast adsorption within 10 min, good La selectivity against competing Na + and Ca 2+ , moderate selectivity against Al 3+ and Fe 3+ , high recyclability over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles, and equivalent efficiency for La, Ce, Nd, and Y recovery. Furthermore, the MMS-PP material also demonstrated 70–95% REE recovery from real citrate extracts of MSWI ash, and the spent MMS-PP material can be regenerated and reused for multiple cycles. Functionalized mesoporous materials in combination with organic-ligand assisted extraction can potentially provide a green, effective, and tunable solid-liquid separation platform for REE recovery from complex solid waste streams.

REE recovery↗

Novel solid-infused durable nonwetting surfaces for sustained condensation heat transfer enhancement

Here, in this article, we report novel nonwetting solid-infused surfaces that are easily fabricated using industrially widely adopted methods such as chemical etching or electrodeposition and exhibit sustained dropwise condensation performance durably than superhydrophobic and lubricant-infused surfaces. Solid-infused surfaces demonstrate fourfold larger condensation heat transfer coefficient and 25% better condensation effectiveness when compared to superhydrophobic surface and conventional filmwise condensation. Although the condensation heat transfer coefficient of lubricant-infused surface initially matches that of solid-infused surface, it is shown through durability studies that the wettability characteristic that underpins the performance of lubricant-infused surfaces degrades quickly with time as the lubricant depletes and lubricant-infused surface transitions to superhydrophobic surface. Solid-infused surface, on the other hand, retains its steadfast superior dropwise condensation effectiveness in the long run, overcoming the challenges of droplet pinning, surface inundation, cloaking, and lubricant depletion that eventually deteriorate condensation on conventional nonwetting superhydrophobic and lubricant-infused surfaces.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A new approach to study adsorption on shales and other microporous solids via the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique

Measuring the adsorption of gases in microporous solids like the shales requires accurate knowledge of the solid’s skeletal volume. Helium (He) is commonly used to determine the sample’s skeletal volume based on the assumption that it does not adsorb in these porous media. The validity of such an assumption for microporous solids has been questioned in recent years, and in this study, we show that it is not applicable for the shale sample studied. We present a new method to measure the adsorption of shale-gas components in shales, which does not require the use of He to measure the solid’s skeletal volume. Since the proposed analysis method relies on the use of dynamic adsorption data, we also propose here a new zero-point correction method for the magnetic suspension balance, which is better suited for the analysis of such data. Here, we employ the new technique to the study of Argon adsorption in Marcellus Shales.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A self-contained algorithm for determination of solid-liquid equilibria in an alloy system

In this paper, we describe a self-contained procedure to evaluate the free energy of liquid and solid phases of an alloy system. The free energy of a single-element solid phase is calculated with thermodynamic integration using the Einstein crystal as the reference system. Then, free energy difference between the solid and liquid phases is calculated by Gibbs-Duhem integration. The central part of our method is the construction of a reversible alchemical path connecting a pure liquid and a liquid alloy to calculate the mixing enthalpy and entropy. We have applied the method to calculate the free energy of solid and liquid phases in the Al-Sm system. Finally, the driving force for fcc-Al nucleation in Al-Sm liquid and the melting curve for fcc-Al and Al 3 Sm are also calculated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

One-pot generation of lignin microspheres and digestible substrate with a polyol-DES pretreatment in high solid loading

Previous lignin microspheres (LMS) preparation needs multiple steps with very low yield and high cost. Herein, we developed a high-solid deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment for an effective lignin fractionation and enzymatic saccharification of moso bamboo under mild temperature (110 °C) with high-solid loading. Lignin was significantly removed from the plant cell wall, and cellulose properties (e.g., crystallinity and degree of polymerization) were also altered during the pretreatment. As a result, the enzymatic digestibility of the pretreated bamboo was dramatically increased. Uniform micro-spherical lignin was directly produced from the pretreatment system, and its particle size could be regulated by controlling the solid loadings and pretreatment temperatures. The lignin microspheres formation mechanism was investigated by analyzing the lignin's size distribution, molecular weight distribution, chemical structure, and hydrophobicity. The DES showed excellent recyclability, and the recycled DES could still remove 42.78% lignin even after 7th circulation associated with 100% glucan saccharification. Further, the mass balance based on 1000 g biomass showed that 196.28 g LMS was directly recovered, which exhibited a high RhB adsorption. Besides, 404.91 g glucose and 36.67 g xylose were obtained after the enzymatic saccharification process. Specifically, GAPI analysis exhibited a near total green and yellow portions of the pictogram, indicating our DES process was green enough to make this biorefinery sustainable. Overall, the proposed DES generated synergistic productions of digestible solid and LMS which could contribute to establish a green and sustainable biorefinery sequence with diverse outputs in one pot.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Probing solid-state reaction through microstrain: A case study on synthesis of LiCoO 2

Solid-state reaction has been widely adopted as a low-cost and scalable approach to synthesize inorganic materials for industrial applications. However, a special caution must be paid to carefully control the synthesis condition in order to obtain final products with desired structure and physical/chemical properties. In this work, LiCoO 2 was investigated as a model material to illustrate the complexity of the solid-state reaction, as well as its condition control. Taking the advantage of the high flux and high penetration capability of synchrotron X-ray source, in-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction was deployed to investigate the structural evolution of materials during the solid-state reaction while ex-situ high-resolution X-ray diffraction was utilized to quantify the residual microstrains of LiCoO 2 . It is shown that the microstrain is a sensitive indicator to probe the completeness of the solid-state reactions, and that it also provides a more quantitative way to establish the structure-property relationship of materials. It can serve as a sensitive indicator for the rational design of synthesis process for functional materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Towards a high-performance garnet-based solid-state Li metal battery: A perspective on recent advances

Garnet-based solid-state Li metal batteries have been widely considered one of the most promising next-generation energy storage systems. However, the performance of these batteries is plagued by various limitations caused by the solid-state electrolyte (SSE). The poor wetting of lithium on the garnet surface diminishes the contact between the anode and electrolyte, leading to extremely high anode interfacial resistance. Similarly, the point-to-point contact between the cathode and electrolyte leads to high impedance on the cathode side. Moreover, although the SSE serves a firm barrier separating the anode and cathode, lithium dendrites can still grow through, causing a short circuit. Lastly, the solid/solid interface cannot be well maintained under cycling at high current density and capacity. Recently, remarkable progress has been achieved in garnet electrolyte to resolve these problems towards the aim of a high-performance solid-state Li metal battery. In this perspective, we highlight various recent advances in the field of garnet-based solid-state battery, including improving the anode/electrolyte interface, lithium dendrite detection, reducing cathode impedance, and electrolyte architecture design.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A Robust Numerical Treatment of Solid-Phase Diffusion in Pseudo Two-Dimensional Lithium-Ion Battery Models

Solid-phase diffusion in active materials of lithium-ion batteries significantly affects charging and safety-related behavior of lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, it is essential to develop an efficient and robust numerical algorithm for solving solid-phase diffusion equations in physics-based battery models. In this work, we discuss the origins of numerical instabilities that can occur when solving the solid-phase diffusion equations using iterative methods. Then, in order to resolve such issues, we propose a simple numerical treatment to the surface flux term of discretized solid-phase diffusion equations. To demonstrate its numerical robustness, the proposed method is implemented into a pseudo two-dimensional (P2D) physics-based battery model and simulations are conducted at wide ranges of operating conditions. Even with extremely poor initial guesses for the Li+ concentrations of the active materials, computations using the proposed method do not diverge and the their computational speeds are comparable to those with conventional initial guesses. Comprehensive tests of the proposed method are also performed with a dynamic current profile based on US06 driving profile and a multi-stage charging profile with very high initial C-rate (12C).

battery modeling↗

High voltage stable cycling of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries enabled by top-down direct fluorinated poly (ethylene oxide)-based electrolytes

Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) show prospects in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries. However, they suffer from low ionic conductivity at room temperature and interfacial instability with high voltage cathodes for long-term cycling. In this work, top-down fluorinated PEOs (F-PEOs) for the all-solid-state electrolytes, which are scalable and cost-effective, are developed to improve the battery performance. We demonstrate, that by enhancing the disordering of the F-PEO matrix, the SPE achieves a maximum Li + conductivity of 1.1 x 10 -4 S cm -1 at 40 °C, which is 20 times higher than the baseline. By forming robust cathode/SPE and Li/SPE interfaces, the F-PEO-based SPEs demonstrate stable cycling in the LiFePO 4 /Li and LiNi 0·8 Mn 0·1 Co 0·1 O 2 /Li (3-4.4 V, 500 cycles, capacity retention of 91.6%) based all-solid-state batteries at 40 °C. Therefore, our work highlights the significance of "disordering engineering" for energy storage materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The study of magnetic phase diagram of Fe{sub 1−x}Zn{sub x}Cr{sub 2}S{sub 4} solid solutions

A magnetic phase diagram of Fe{sub 1−x}Zn{sub x}Cr{sub 2}S{sub 4} solid solutions was studied. The temperature and concentration ranges of existence of magnetoactive phases based on ferrimagnet FeCr{sub 2}S{sub 4} (0≤x≤0.63), antiferromagnet ZnCr{sub 2}S{sub 4} (0.73≤x≤1), and a spin glass (0.63≤x≤0.73) were determined. The concentration dependences of the saturation magnetic moments and Curie temperatures of the solid solutions synthesized were investigated experimentally and theoretically. - Graphical abstract: Saturation magnetic moment of the solid solutions Fe{sub 1−x}Zn{sub x}Cr{sub 2}S{sub 4} at T=5 K: 1—experimental curve; 2—theoretical curve on [15]; 3—theoretical curve on [16]. Highlights: • A magnetic phase diagram of Fe{sub 1-x}Zn{sub x}Cr{sub 2}S{sub 4} solid solutions was studied. • The concentration ranges of existence of magnetoactive phases were determined. • The concentration dependences of the magnetic moments were investigated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Variations of structures and solid-state conductivity of isomeric silver(I) coordination polymers having linear and V-shaped thiophene-centered ditriazole ligands

A pair of new linear and V-shaped acceptor–donor–acceptor (A−D−A) thiophene-centered ditriazole structural isomers, i.e., 2,5-di(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)thiophene (L{sup 1}) and 3,4-di(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)thiophene (L{sup 2}), has been synthesized and characterized. They are used as μ{sub 2}-bridging ligands to prepare a pair of silver(I) coordination polymers formulated as [Ag(L{sup 1})(NO{sub 3})]{sub n} (1) and [Ag(L{sup 2})(NO{sub 3})]{sub n} (2), which are also structural isomers at the supramolecular level. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses for 1 and 2 reveal that they exhibit the same one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers but different structural architectures because of the distinguishable shape and configuration of isomeric ligands (L{sup 1} and L{sup 2}) and the alterations of the coordination numbers. More interestingly, compared with the free ligands, 1D silver(I) polymeric isomers 1 and 2 show significant enhancement of solid-state conductivity to different extents (1.42×10{sup 4} and 2.17×10{sup 3} times), where 6.96 times' enhancement of solid-state conductivity from 1 to 2 has been observed. The formation of Ag–N coordinative bonds and the configurational discrepancy of L{sup 1} and L{sup 2} are believed to play important roles in facilitating the electron transport between molecules, which can also be supported by Density Function Theory calculations of their band gaps. - Graphical abstract: A pair of linear and V-shaped isomeric thiophene-centered ditriazole ligands (L{sup 1}) and L{sup 2} are used to prepare a pair of silver(I) polymeric isomers (1 and 2), where significant enhancement of solid-state conductivity to different extents are observed originating from the distinguishable shape and configuration of isomeric ligands. - Highlights: • A pair of linear and V-shaped thiophene-centered ditriazole structural isomers is prepared. • They are used as µ{sub 2}-bridging ligands to prepare a pair of silver(I) polymeric isomers. • Significant enhancement of solid-state conductivity is observed for each polymeric isomer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Modulation of a solid-state reversible fluorescent photoswitching based on a controllable photochromic pyrazolones

A novel solid-state reversible fluorescence photoswitching system (FPS) based on photochromism of photochromic pyrazolones has been developed by employing phosphor Sr{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 7} co-doped with europium ion and chlorine ion (Sr{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 7}–EC) and 1,3-diphenyl-4-(3-chlorobenzal)-5-hydroxypyrazole-4-phenylsemicarbazone (1a) as the fluorescence dye and the photochromic compound, respectively. With carefully selected components, the absorption band of the keto-form photochromic pyrazolones well overlaps with the emission peak of Sr{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 7}–EC. The fluorescence emission intensity of Sr{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 7}–EC is efficiently modulated by the photoisomerization of 1a with controlling the exposure time in the solid state. The fluorescence photoswitching system displayed high fluorescence quenching efficiency and remarkable fatigue resistance. It can be repeated 7 cycles without observable the changes of emission intensity. A fluorescence quenching efficiency can be achieved with a reversible colour change from white to yellow. - Graphical abstract: A novel fluorescence photoswitching system based on doping inorganic fluorescence dye into photochromic pyrazolones was constructed successfully. Its fluorescence emission could be efficiently modulated by the photoisomerization of pyrazolones. - Highlights: • A solid-state fluorescence photoswitching material was prepared. • Photoswitching is due to energy transfer between pyrazolone and fluorescence dye. • It exhibits excellent fluorescence contrast and fatigue resistance in the solid state.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Short review of high-pressure crystal growth and magnetic and electrical properties of solid-state osmium oxides

High-pressure crystal growth and synthesis of selected solid-state osmium oxides, many of which are perovskite-related types, are briefly reviewed, and their magnetic and electrical properties are introduced. Crystals of the osmium oxides, including NaOsO{sub 3}, LiOsO{sub 3}, and Na{sub 2}OsO{sub 4}, were successfully grown under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions at 6 GPa in the presence of an appropriate amount of flux in a belt-type apparatus. The unexpected discovery of a magnetic metal–insulator transition in NaOsO{sub 3}, a ferroelectric-like transition in LiOsO{sub 3}, and high-temperature ferrimagnetism driven by a local structural distortion in Ca{sub 2}FeOsO{sub 6} may represent unique features of the osmium oxides. The high-pressure and high-temperature synthesis and crystal growth has played a central role in the development of solid-state osmium oxides and the elucidation of their magnetic and electronic properties toward possible use in multifunctional devices. - Graphical Abstract: Flux-grown crystals of NaOsO{sub 3} under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions in a belt-type apparatus. The crystal shows a magnetically driven metal–insulator transition at a temperature of 410 K. - Highlights: • Short review of high-pressure crystal growth of solid-state osmium oxides. • Wide variety of magnetic properties of solid-state osmium oxides. • Perovskite and related dense structures stabilized at 3–17 GPa.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis, magnetic and dielectric characterization of nanocrystalline solid solutions of In{sub 2−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} (x = 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15)

Graphical abstract: Monophasic and crystalline In{sub 2−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} nanoparticles of size 8–15 nm have been synthesized solvothermally and showed red shift in energy band gap which decreases on increasing Ni{sup 2+} concentration in In{sub 2}O{sub 3} host lattice. - Highlights: • Monophasic Ni-doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles by solvothermal method for first time. • Plausible reaction mechanism using thermogravimetric analysis. • High surface area with small particle size obtained. • Solid solutions exhibit paramagnetism with very weak antiferromagnetic interactions. - Abstract: In{sub 2−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} (x = 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by solvothermal method by the thermal decomposition of oxalate precursor at 450 °C for the first time. X-ray diffraction studies showed the formation of highly crystalline and monophasic cubic structure of In{sub 2}O{sub 3} which is attributed to the formation of solid solution. These nanoparticles show good optical transmittance in the visible region. Optical measurements showed an energy band gap which decreases with increasing Ni concentration. The grain size decreases from 15 nm to 8 nm and surface area increases from 90 to 254 m{sup 2} g{sup −1} on increasing the Ni concentration. High dielectric constant and dielectric loss has been obtained which indicates the conducting nature of these solid solutions. Magnetic measurements showed that the samples are strong paramagnetic in nature with very weak antiferromagnetic interactions. No evidence of ferromagnetism is observed for these solid solutions at room temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structure and magnetic interactions in the solid solution Ba{sub 3−x}Sr{sub x}Cr{sub 2}O{sub 8}

Highlights: • We describe for the first time the preparation of single- and polycrystalline members of the solid solution Ba{sub 3−x}Sr{sub x}Cr{sub 2}O{sub 8}. • We report on the structural changes in the solid solution at room temperature depending on the stoichiometry. • We describe the peculiar change of the magnetic behavior in the solid solution with the stoichiometry. - Abstract: Solid solutions of the magnetic insulators Ba{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}O{sub 8} and Sr{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}O{sub 8} (Ba{sub 3−x}Sr{sub x}Cr{sub 2}O{sub 8}) have been prepared in polycrystalline form for the first time. Single crystalline material was obtained using a mirror image floating zone technique. X-ray diffraction data taken at room temperature indicate that the space group of Ba{sub 3−x}Sr{sub x}Cr{sub 2}O{sub 8} remains unchanged for all values of x, while the cell parameters depend on the chemical composition, as expected. Magnetization data, measured from 300 K down to 2 K, suggest that the interaction constant J{sub d} within the Cr{sup 5+} dimers varies in a peculiar way as a function of x, starting at J{sub d} = 25 K for x = 0, then first slightly dropping to J{sub d} = 18 K for x ≈ 0.75, before reaching J{sub d} = 62 K for x = 3.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Synthesis of luminescent nanocrystals and solid solutions in the YNbO{sub 4}–EuNbO{sub 4} system via hydrothermal route

Highlights: • Nanocrystals: YNbO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} were directly formed under hydrothermal conditions at 240 °C. • The nanocrystals (10–20 nm) were luminescent and had ellipsoidal morphology. • The complete solid solutions in the YNbO{sub 4}–EuNbO{sub 4} system were also directly formed. • The PL intensity and R/O intensity ratio changed depending on heating temperature. - Abstract: Luminescent nanocrystals having distinctive ellipsoidal morphology and the complete solid solution of monoclinic phase in the YNbO{sub 4}–EuNbO{sub 4} system were hydrothermally formed under weakly basic conditions at 180–240 °C for 5 h. The excitation spectra of the Y{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}NbO{sub 4} nanocrystals, which consisted of the charge transfer (CT) band around 240–270 nm due to [NbO{sub 4}]{sup 3−}–Eu{sup 3+} interaction and several sharp bands corresponding to the f–f transitions of Eu{sup 3+}, e.g. the most intense absorption band at 395 nm ({sup 7}F{sub 0}→{sup 5}L{sub 6}), showed that the compounds could be excited by both ultraviolet and visible light. A dominant red emission at 610 nm and a weak orange emission at 590 nm assigned to {sup 5}D{sub 0}→{sup 7}F{sub 2} and {sup 5}D{sub 0}→{sup 7}F{sub 1} transitions of Eu{sup 3+}, respectively were observed in the as-prepared nanocrystals containing europium under excitation at 395 nm. The heat treatment at temperatures more than 1000 °C in air was effective for the improvement in the photoluminescence intensity of the as-prepared solid solutions. By the enhancement in the crystallinity and crystallite growth of the monoclinic phase through heat treatment at 1300 °C in air, the luminescence intensity of the as-prepared solid solution, Y{sub 0.75}Eu{sub 0.25}NbO{sub 4} (x = 0.25), which showed the most significant photoluminescence, became more than 5 times as strong as that before the heat treatment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Zn{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}WO{sub 4} (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) full range solid solution: Structure, optical properties, and magnetism

Graphical abstract: The continuous modulation on crystal structure and band gap is achieved in the Zn{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}WO{sub 4} (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) full range solid solution. - Highlights: • Zn{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}WO{sub 4} (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solution was synthesized by a hydrothermal method. • They all present a single-phase in the wolframite structure with space group P2/c. • The continuous tenability in band gap was achieved in Zn{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}WO{sub 4} (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). • CoWO{sub 4} and Zn{sub 0.5}Co{sub 0.5}WO{sub 4} are antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic, respectively. - Abstract: A novel full-range solid-solution Zn{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}WO{sub 4} (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) was successfully developed via a facile one-pot hydrothermal route. The phase structure and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Zn{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}WO{sub 4} solid solution possesses similar wolframite crystal structure with the same space group P2/c. Diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) measurements on Zn{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}WO{sub 4} (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) demonstrated that the optical band gap can be continuously tuned from 3.56 eV to 2.61 eV for direct transition and 1.87 eV for indirect transition, respectively, with increasing x from 0 to 1. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that CoWO{sub 4} has an antiferromagnetic transition at T{sub N} = 42 K, whereas Zn{sub 0.5}Co{sub 0.5}WO{sub 4} exhibits paramagnetic behavior. Moreover, CoWO{sub 4} and Zn{sub 0.5}Co{sub 0.5}WO{sub 4} obey the Curie–Weiss law from 200 k down to 50 K, and their effective magnetic moments were determined.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Solid-state synthesis of Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} whiskers from TiO{sub 2}-B

Highlights: • The Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} whiskers were synthesized from TiO{sub 2}-B whiskers via a solid state reaction. • The TiO{sub 2}-B crystal structure for lithium diffusion is easier than anatase. • The separated diffusion and reaction process is crucial for the solid-state syntheses of Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} whiskers. - Abstract: In this work, Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} (LTO) was synthesized from the precursors of TiO{sub 2}-B and anatase whiskers, respectively. The synthesized LTO whiskers from TiO{sub 2}-B whiskers via a solid state reaction at 650 °C have a high degree of crystallinity with an average diameter of 300 nm. However, when anatase whiskers were used as the precursor, only particle morphology LTO was produced at 750 °C. The further analysis of the precursors, the intermediate products and the final products reveal that the crystal structure of the anatase hinders the diffusion of lithium, leading to a typical reaction–diffusion process. Under this condition, only particle morphology LTO can be produced. However, the crystal structure of the TiO{sub 2}-B is easy for lithium diffusion and the process is performed in two separated steps (i.e., diffusion and reaction), which makes it possible to decrease the solid-state reaction temperature down to 650 °C and then maintain the morphologies of whiskers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗