Determination of macro-constituents in lithium zirconate for tritium-breeding applications

A method was developed for the determination of Li and Zr in lithium metazirconate, a candidate in fusion reactor designs as tritium-breeder material. In order to achieve high-precision results, Li was determined by flame emission spectrometry (FAES) with reduced sensitivity at 610.4 nm, whereas Zr was determined by gravimetry and complexometry. The sample was decomposed with NH4HSO4. Both elements could be determined to a precision of four significant figures and the Zr results obtained by chemical methods were not significantly different.