Optimizing the structure of brucite powder: synergistic effect of mechanical activation and static pressure

In the field of materials science, brucite (Mg(OH)2) has attracted much attention due to its unique physical and chemical properties. This paper aims to explore the effects of mechanical activation and static pressure on the crystal structure of brucite powder to improve its performance in industrial applications.

Effect of mechanical activation

Mechanical activation is a technique for preparing ultrafine brucite powder by high-energy ball milling. Studies have shown that mechanical external forces make the crystal structure of brucite more susceptible to distortion along the [001] direction, which is of great significance for understanding how mechanical forces change the microstructure of materials. With the increase of ball milling time, the infrared spectrum of brucite blue shifts and broadens, indicating that the crystal structure has changed. Specifically, after 3 hours of ball milling, the average particle size of the sample dropped to 3.56μm. This reduction in particle size has a positive effect on improving the surface activity and reactivity of the material.

Effect of static pressure

In addition to mechanical activation, static pressure is also an important factor affecting the crystal structure of brucite. The effect of different static pressures on the crystal structure of brucite was studied by first-principles calculation method. The results show that when the hydrostatic pressure increases in the theoretical calculation, the lattice constant a decreases linearly and c decreases nonlinearly, which indicates that the hydrostatic pressure has a significant compression effect on the brucite crystal structure. In addition, the band gap of the brucite system increases with increasing pressure, mainly due to the movement of the Mg 2p conduction band to the high-energy direction. This change has a profound impact on the electronic and optical properties of the material.

Combining mechanical activation and hydrostatic pressure

Combining mechanical activation with hydrostatic pressure can more effectively regulate the crystal structure of brucite powder. This synergistic effect can not only improve the physicochemical activity of brucite, but also provide a new perspective for its application in catalysis, adsorption, building materials and other fields. By precisely controlling the mechanical force and hydrostatic pressure, the properties of brucite powder can be customized to meet specific industrial needs.

The effects of mechanical activation and hydrostatic pressure on the crystal structure of brucite powder are significant. By optimizing these two treatment conditions, the performance of brucite powder can be effectively improved and its application range can be broadened. Future research can further explore the structure-performance relationship of brucite powder under different conditions to achieve more precise material design and application development.