Preparation of nanocrystalline materials by high-energy milling

Various types of nanocrystalline materials have been prepared using high-energy milling. Bismuth-ceramic (Bi/MgO, Bi/Al2O3, Bi/SiO2) and copper-iron sulphide (Cu/FeS) composites as well as lead sulphide (PbS) nanocrystalline particles have been synthesized with this technique. X-ray powder diffraction was used to characterize the composition and particle size of as-prepared nanopowders. PbS particles as nanophase may be prepared in the laboratory planetary mill as well as in an industrial vibratory mill. High-energy milling thus has considerable possibility for easily scaling up the production of advanced materials under ambient conditions in reasonable time without the use of any solvent. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.