Sintering of LixMi1−xO solid solutions at 1200°C

The sintering process of Li x Mi1−x O solid solutions, with differentx values, was examined. Sintering was performed in air at 1200°C. An intense shrinkage in lithiated nickel oxide, with respect to the undoped NiO, was observed. This behaviour is attributed to the existence of a gradient in the chemical potential of the lithium ion between the surface and the interior of the particles, due to lithium oxide evaporation, which acts as the driving force of the mass transport by volume diffusion.