Solid-state synthesis of LiBD4 observed by in situ neutron diffraction

The synthesis of Li[(11)BD(4)] from LiB and D(2) (p = 180 bar) is investigated by in situ neutron diffraction. The onset of the Li[(11)BD(4)] formation is observed far below the temperatures reported so far for the reaction from the pure elements, indicative of a lower activation barrier. We attribute the improved formation behavior to the breaking of the rigid boron lattice and intermixing of the elements on an atomic level when forming the binary compound LiB. The reaction starts with the decomposition of the initial LiB compound and the formation of LiD. At 623 K LiBD(4) starts to form. However, under the given experimental conditions (maximal temperature = 773 K) a complete reaction was not achieved; there is still residual LiD present.