Thermodynamical control of the grain size of LiCoPO4 powders

The control of the grain size distribution of the LiCoPO₄ compound was achieved by a thermodynamically monitored heating regime of the used ceramic route. For this purpose, on the basis of calorimetric (DSC-TG) measurements collected in non-isothermal and isothermal regime and then related to the grain size of the final product via equations, the irreversibility degree of the heating regime was determined. Grain size of the final product was revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the purity of the final product was discussed from thermodynamic calculations (DSC and TG) and confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The purity and the grain size of the product was tested a priori, using a series of heating regimes and then the accuracy of the established model was checked.