Utilization of thermal neutron induced in-situ chain reactions and the (n,p) reaction with fast neutrons for compositional characterization of lithium titanate

A methodology has been developed for the complete compositional characterization of lithium titanate (LTO) using neutron activation, which is quite challenging and no literature report is available so far. The concept of thermal neutron induced in-situ chain reactions Li-6(n,alpha)H-3 and O-16(H-3,n) F-18 has been used for the determination of Li and 0 through the measurement of F-18 activity. The method is capable of analyzing Li and 0 in percentage level as reported in the present analysis of two types of lithium titanate samples. Spectroscopic interference of the elements which can directly or indirectly affect the outcome, were evaluated meticulously. Determination of Ti was carried out using fast neutron activation through the product isotopes like Sc-47, Sc-48, generated via (n,p) nuclear reactions. Fast neutron activation methodology seems to be advantageous for Ti determination over thermal neutron activation, as it offers self validation through different isotopes and multiple gamma lines. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.