PREPARATION OF HEXALITHIUM MONOSILICATE, Li6SiO5, AS BLANKET MATERIAL FOR BREEDING ENERGY IN FUSION REACTORS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Glass Research Dept., The National Research Centre, Egypt.

2 Kernforschugszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH, Institut fur Material und Festkorperforschung III, D-7500 Karlsruhe, Germany.

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A silicate compound that contains high Li/Si ratio seems to be a candidate material
for breeding energy in fusion reactors. A pressable and sinterable powder was
prepared by mixing an alcoholic suspension containing 6 moles of LiOH and one
mole of SiO2 (as Aerosil). After being gelled it is dried and then calcined at 420°C for
2 h. Sintering of the pressed powder obtained at temperatures below 700°C results
in the formation of the compound hexalithium monosilicate, Li6SiO5. This new
compound in the lithium silicate family is characterized by six-edges plate crystals
that have main x-ray diffraction lines with d-values at 4.407, 3. 548, 3.339, 2.419,
2.360, 2.010, l.421 and 1.418. The Li6SiO5 decomposes at temperature above 700°C
it decomposes to Li4SiO4 and Li2O.The high lithium content of Li6SiO5 permits its
usage as blanket material for breeding tritium consequently the energy in forthcoming
fusion reactors.

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