Hallmarks of mechanochemistry: from nanoparticles to technology

Abstract

The aim of this review article on recent developments of mechanochemistry (nowadays established as a part of chemistry) is to provide a comprehensive overview of advances achieved in the field of atomistic processes, phase transformations, simple and multicomponent nanosystems and peculiarities of mechanochemical reactions. Industrial aspects with successful penetration into fields like materials engineering, heterogeneous catalysis and extractive metallurgy are also reviewed. The hallmarks of mechanochemistry include influencing reactivity of solids by the presence of solid-state defects, interphases and relaxation phenomena, enabling processes to take place under non-equilibrium conditions, creating a well-crystallized core of nanoparticles with disordered near-surface shell regions and performing simple dry time-convenient one-step syntheses. Underlying these hallmarks are technological consequences like preparing new nanomaterials with the desired properties or producing these materials in a reproducible way with high yield and under simple and easy operating conditions. The last but not least hallmark is enabling work under environmentally friendly and essentially waste-free conditions (822 references).

In situ X-ray diffraction monitoring of a mechanochemical reaction reveals a unique topology metal-organic framework

“…M echanochemical reactions by milling or grinding have emerged as excellent, rapid and cleaner alternatives to conventional chemical synthesis in a number of areas, from nanomaterials and alloys to pharmaceuticals and metal-organic frameworks [1][2][3][4] . However, despite significant and rapid advances in synthetic scope and methoodology [5][6][7] , the mechanistic understanding of mechanochemical reactions has remained elusive [8][9][10] , creating a major obstacle for the development and optimization of attractive proof-of-principle laboratory experiments into viable large scale processes 11 .…”

Microstructure, Hardness Evolution, and Thermal Stability Mechanism of Mechanical Alloyed Cu-Nb Alloy during Heat Treatment

“…The generation of the nanostructure is related to the repeated cold welding, fracturing, and mechanical deformation of powder particles in ball-powder-ball and ball-powder-container wall collisions [5,7]. Meanwhile, the enhanced diffusion between two or more elements can be achieved to extend the solid solubility level by using MA [6,8]. Over the past few years, many nanocrystalline materials synthesized by MA have been found to possess a certain thermal stability, although it is often thought that the nanocrystalline materials may offer a significant driving force for the grain growth [9][10][11][12].…”

“…Therefore, a high thermal stability to minimize the grain growth is required for nanocrystalline materials. There are some techniques to synthesize nanocrystalline materials, one of which is mechanical alloying [5][6][7][8]. The generation of the nanostructure is related to the repeated cold welding, fracturing, and mechanical deformation of powder particles in ball-powder-ball and ball-powder-container wall collisions [5,7].…”

Mechanical Alloying as an Effective Way to Achieve Superior Properties of Fe–Co–Ni Binder Alloy

“…Mechanical alloying (MA) in planetary ball mills (PBMs) is an efficient method for preparing multicomponent mixtures with nanocrystalline and amorphous phases including those made of the components with a limited mutual solubility [16][17][18][19]. Metastable phases, such as supersaturated solid solutions, are formed in this case [20,21]; their decomposition upon heating is accompanied by the precipitation of the dispersed secondary phases.…”