The preparation of Li2TiO3 powder via solution combustion synthesis for using in fusion reactor as tritium breeder

Abstract

Li2TiO3 as a tritium breeder has a significant role in nuclear fusion reactors. The aim of this study was the synthesis of Li2TiO3 powder by solution combustion in the explosive mode as an inexpensive and efficient method. Fuel type and nitric acid, as an oxidizer, have vital roles in this method. Hence, the effect of nitric acid content and citric acid, glucose, and glycine fuels were investigated. Results showed that the use of glucose fuel was not appropriate, because the combustion didn't occur, neither the desired phase was not synthesized. Moreover, synthesis in the presence of glycine fuel led to the synthesis of the desired product, however, no pure single-phase product was obtained. Contrary to the two mentioned fuels, citric acid was a suitable fuel for the synthesis of Li2TiO3 by solution combustion method, which resulted in a single-phase product. The optimum amount of nitric acid was determined to be 9 liters per mole of fuel. Using more than the optimal amount of nitric acid also resulted in LiTiO2 impurities being left. While using less than the optimal amount resulted in an incomplete combustion reaction.

Keywords

• fusion reactor
• tritium breeder
• solution combustion synthesis
• fuel type
• li2tio3