Preparation of ternary compound BaLi2Ti6O14 by the sol-gel process.

Ceramic compound with the formula BaLi2Ti6O14 was prepared by sol-gel method at basic conditions, using ammonium hydroxide as hydrolysis catalyst. Some portions of gel sample obtained were heat treated at 200, 400, 600, and 800 degrees C. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA-TGA), UV-Vis and FTIR. Crystalline phase was formed when a sample was treated at 800 degrees C for 6h. This material has been previously synthesized by solid state reaction using temperatures as high as 900-1150 degrees C for 2 to 10 days. The crystal structure of BaLi2Ti6O14 is similar to that corresponding strontium containing phase, SrLi2Ti6O14, which has been reported as catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of lower alkanes.