The Influence of Mechanical Milling and Subsequent Calcination on the Formation of Lithium Ferrites

The influence of ball milling and subsequent calcination of a 2.5:1 molar mixture of alpha-Fe2O3 and Li2CO3 on the formation of lithium ferrites has been investigated. Premilling was found to considerably lower the temperature at which the lithium ferrites LiFeO2 and LiFe5O8 are formed. A beta-to-alpha phase transition in LiFe5O8 was found to take place on cooling from ca. 1000°C depending on the milling history and cooling regime.