Preparation via gelling of porous Li2ZrO3 for fusion reactor blanket material

Crystalline powders of Li2ZrO3 were prepared by gelling ZrCl4 and CH3COOLi with NH4OH at 50 °C, at different pH values (5, 7 and 8) and for different times (3, 12 and 24 h), then drying and calcining. Compacts from these powders were found sinter to higher densities than a commercial Li2ZrO3; their porosity at 1200°C was close to 3 μm and was suitable for blanket material applications. Tritium release as HTO begins at 300 °C and reaches 73% at 400 °C, a temperature much lower than that required for Li2O.