Synthesis of LiAl2xO2 with Other Transition Metals for Tritium Release in Nuclear Fusion Reactors

Abstract

Lithium based metal oxides (Li-M-O) are used in nuclear fusion reactors, molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), and lithium-ion secondary batteries. These materials, which exhibit good chemical and thermal stability, excellent tritium release, and stability under long-term neutron-irradiated conditions, are considered possible candidates for nuclear fusion blanket materials. In this study, we focus on the hydrothermal synthesis of LiAl2xO2 with other transition metals to prepare LiMn0.5-xNi0.5-xAl2xO2 powder for application as a tritium generator. The d-values of the hydrothermally synthesized powders increased with increasing aluminum content. The increased values are associated with the increasing vacancy concentration resulting from the disordering of the cations in LiAl2xO2 with other transition metal structures. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the aluminum content affected the stability retention during Li+ intercalation and deintercalation, which results in improved tritium generation and release for tritium breeders in nuclear fusion blanket materials.