gamma-Lithium aluminate was prepared by sol-gel method using lithium methoxide and aluminum-sec-butoxide precursors in i-propanol, n- and tert-butanol. Clear gels could be obtained due to the addition of ethylacetoacetate and the dried solids were calcined at 550 and 900 degreesC. The resulting solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). gamma-Lithium aluminate with the highest purity was obtained with t-butanol solvent and LiAl5O8 was the second major phase. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.