Mechanochemical synthesis of a nanocrystalline thermoelectric compound

Solid state chemical reactions were studied during high energy ball milling. Mechanosynthesis (MSY) of mixtures of high purity αPbO and Te powders under atmospheric conditions were processed. This process was selected to minimize technical difficulties as those commonly found in conventional processes involving melting- growth or sublimation of starting materials. It has been found that as particle size is reduced, structural defects are increased and hence solid state chemical reactions are enhanced. In the MSY of PbO-Te, the phases formed are the same as those formed during conventional process (melt-growth). The alloyed powders obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. (Author). 13 refs.