Synthesis of lithium lanthanum zirconate from nanocrystalline lanthanum zirconate
Fabricating a layer including lithium lanthanum zirconate (Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 ) layer includes forming a slurry including lanthanum zirconate (La 2 Zr 2 O 7 ) nanocrystals, a lithium precursor, and a lanthanum precursor in stoichiometric amounts to yield a dispersion including lithium, lanthanum, and zirconium. In some cases, the dispersion includes lithium, lanthanum, and zirconium in a molar ratio of 7:3:2. In certain cases, the slurry includes excess lithium. The slurry is dispensed onto a substrate and dried. The dried slurry is calcined to yield the layer including lithium lanthanum zirconate.
1. A method of synthesizing lithium lanthanum zirconate Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 , the method comprising:
combining lanthanum zirconate La 2 Zr 2 O 7 nanocrystals comprising excess lanthanum with LiNO 3 to yield a first mixture;
combining the first mixture with one or more salts of lithium to yield a second mixture;
calcining the second mixture to yield a calcined mixture; and
sintering the calcined mixture to yield the lithium lanthanum zirconate.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lanthanum zirconate nanocrystals further comprise a dopant.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more salts of lithium are molten.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the one or more salts of lithium consist of LiNO 3 and LiOH.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein a mass ratio of LiNO 3 to LiOH is about 1:1.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the one or more salts of lithium comprise a molten salt flux.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the molten salt flux further comprises Li 2 O 2 .
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein a temperature of the molten salt flux is between 400° C. and 550° C.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the lanthanum zirconate and the one or more salts of lithium react in the molten salt flux for a length of time between 1 hour and 5 hours to yield the mixture.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is a slurry.