Trial synthesis of Li2Be2O3 for high-functional tritium breeders

Mixtures of tritium breeder (lithium) and neutron multiplier (beryllium) are being considered for use in increasing the tritium breeding ratio in breeding blankets. However, lithium and beryllium react under normal operating conditions, and therefore, a high-functional tritium breeder such as lithium beryllium oxide (Li2Be2O3) needs to be developed to compensate for this reaction under high-temperatures. LiOH·H2O and BeO powders were mixed in stoichiometric proportions at a Li/Be molecular ratio of 1.0. The sintering temperature was established as 1073 K by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The Li/Be molar ratio of the reaction products measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) after the reaction agreed with the nominal molar ratio obtained by mixing LiOH·H2O and BeO. Crystal structure analysis of this powder was performed by the XRD technique. The XRD patterns of products were the same as those of Li2Be2O3 as listed in the JC-PDF-Card, and no impurities were indicated. The results indicate that the solid-state reaction of LiOH·H2O and BeO is suitable for synthesizing lithium beryllium oxide (Li2Be2O3).