Studies on Li2SO4-MgSO4 and Li2SO4-Li4SiO4 systems

The phase equilibria as well as the properties and crystal structures of the compounds formed in both Li₂SO₄-MgSO₄ and Li₂SO₄-Li₄SiO₄ systems have been studied by means of x-ray diffraction technique (at high and room temperatures) as well as by the thermal analyses (DTA, DSC, TGA, etc.). In Li₂SO₄-MgSO₄ system there exists a compound Mg₄Li₂(SO₄)₅ formed by peritectic reaction at 840°C and decomposed at 105°C into the Li₂SO₄-base solid solution and MgSO₄ · Mg₄Li₂(SO₄)₅ and Li₂SO₄-base solid solution conduct an eutectic reaction at 663°C with the composition of eutectic point lying in 22 mol% MgSO₄. The solubility of MgSO₄ in Li₂SO₄ is a little smaller than 10 mol% while at the same time the Li₂SO₄ phase transition temperature decreases from 574 to 560°C On the other hand, no noticeable solid solubility of Li₂SO₄ in MgSO₄ has been observed. The reaction is an endothermal one and its heat of formation is 2.57 kJ/mol. The activation energy of the reaction calculated by thermal peak displacement method at various heating rates is 173.5 kJ/mol (1.80 ev). The crystal Mg₄Li₂(SO₄)₅ belongs to orthorhombic system with lattice parameters at 180°C: a = 8.577, b=8.741, c= 11.918 Å. The space group seems to be either P222 or P mmm. Assuming that there are two formula units in a unit cell, the density calculated is then 2.20 g/cm³ very close to that of Li₂SO₄ or MgSO₄. Meanwhile, in Li₂SO₄-Li₄SiO₄ system a new phase Li_8-2x(SiO₄)_8-x(SO₄)_x is formed by peritectic reaction at 953°C with a range of composition x=0.96 ?0.58. The crystal belongs to ortho-rhombic system with lattice parameters at x=0.8: a = 5.002, b= 6.173 and c=10.608Å. The density observed is 2.31 g/cm³ and there are 2 formula units in an unit cell. It is shown from the measurements of piezoelectric and laser SHG coefficients of the crystal that the crystal posseses a symmetrical center with the space group belonging to P mmn. The lattice parameter c has a maximum at x=0.8. In the air Li_8-2x(SiO₄)_2-x(SO₄)_x can absorb 7.6 wt% water vapour and other gases which can only be desorbed by heating it at a temperature above 350°C. Neither absorption nor desorbtion can change its crystal structure, a characteristic similar to that of zeolite molecular sieve. The dewater activation energy of Li_8-2x(SiO₄)_2-x(SO₄)_x is 171.5 kJ/mol. Li_8-2x(SiO₄)_2-x(SO₄)_x and Li₄SO₄ bring about an eutectic reaction at 823°C with its eutectic composition being 12 mol% Li₄SiO₄. No observable solubility of Li₄SiO₄ in Li₃SO₄ has been noticed. The solubility of Li₂SO₄ in Li₄SiO₄ is approximately equal to 5 mol%. With Li₂SO₄ being dissolved in, the phase transition temperature of Li₄SiO₄ is decreased. After being fused, the specimens Li₃SO₄-MgSO₄ and Li₂SO₄-Li₄SiO₄ are cooled at a rate of 10°C/min, their metastable eutectic systems are resulted respectively.