Process for the production of K- or Rb-.beta."- or -.beta.- aluminum oxide ion conductors

Process for the production of a K- or Rb-.beta."-aluminum oxide ceramic formed body having the general formula:

• Me.sub.x D (y or z) A.sub.10+.delta. 10.sub.17
• wherein Me is potassium or rubidium, D is a doping material capable of stabilizing the .beta." aluminum oxide and x, y, z and .delta. are the stoichiometric factors, y thereby referring to monovalent and z to divalent doping material, and .delta. defines the stoichiometric variations of the aluminum ions;
• 1.4<x<1.7, 0.2<y<0.6 and 0.4<z<1, wherein a cubic densely packed aluminum oxide (.gamma.-aluminum oxide) or a precursor thereof is subjected to attrition together with the doping material or precursor thereof, the so obtained mixture is calcined in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, potassium oxide or rubidium oxide or precursor of these compounds is added to the calcination product obtained, the mixture is subjected to attrition and the calcined in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature greater than 900.degree. C. to obtain a powder preparation, the powder is subjected to attrition, isostatic pressing and sintering to form a ceramic formed body having a density of more than 95% of the theoretical density.