Solution Stoichiometry Control for Pure LiLaMo2O8Phases in Sol-Gel Preparation

The hydrolysis of solutions, containing either LiMo₂O₄(OPr ⁱ )₅( ⁱ PrOH) and “La(OPr ⁱ )₃” or LiOPr ⁱ and La₂Mo₄O₈(OPr ⁱ )₁₄ in 1∶1 ratio, in toluene or ⁱ PrOH, by water solutions in isopropanol, leads to formation of monolythic gels. The latter can be converted by drying and heat treatment at 600°C into a fine powder of pure α-LiLaMo₂O₈ phase, which is transformed into β-LiLaMo₂O₈ powder by annealing at 800°C. The sintering of the pellets pressed under 4 bar pressure of α-LiLaMo₂O₈ powder at 800°C for 2 h converts them into pieces of β-LiLaMo₂O₈ transparent ceramics, thus providing a route to LiLnMo₂O₈ laser waveguide materials.