Mechanical Milling Process for Magnesium Nanoparticle Production

Researchers at Sharif University of Technology in Iran in association with their colleagues in Tohoku University in Japan invented a cost-effective method for the production of magnesium nanoparticles.

Researchers had to tackle many challenges in order to produce magnesium from magnesia due to its relatively high equilibrium temperature, reversibility of the reaction, and the production of micro-structured and flammable products. However, the reversion of the reaction in the products in gas phase can be prevented by creating a high rate cooling. Moreover, the nano-structured products can be synthesized in an appropriate protective atmosphere.

Dr Mohammad Nusheh, a PhD student in Materials Engineering, told the news service of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council that the objective of the research was to use the mechanical milling process in order to activate the reactants.

“The reaction temperature decreases noticeably by using this process and the kinetics of the reactions speed up in lower temperature ranges,” he said.

He studied the kinetics of carbothermic reduction reaction for magnesia through a mechanical activation process.

For this purpose, Nusheh chose a mixture of magnesia and graphite powders as the raw materials, and he applied high-energy mechanical milling process on them at different time intervals.

The results show that the mechanical activation has a significant effect on the progress of carbothermic reduction reaction of magnesia. In addition, milling reduces the initial temperature of the reduction reaction. This effect is caused by the reduction in the size of magnesia crystallites down to nanometric scale, the formation of amorphous graphite phase, and the intense increase in the interface of the powder particles.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.