Synthesis of functional oxides by a novel mechanical milling–electric discharge method

Abstract

Functional metal oxide powders (LiCoO₂, LiFePO₄, SrTi_1−xCo_xO₃) have been synthesized by a novel Electric Discharge Assisted Mechanical Milling (EDAMM) processing technique. Characterisation of the as-synthesized powders by XRD, SEM, and TEM confirm near pure phases with a highly controllable morphology can be produced in only minutes. The electrochemical (LiCoO₂, LiFePO₄) and magnetic (SrTi_1−xCo_xO₃) behaviour of the powders indicates functionality that at least matches that of powders synthesized by traditional solid-state approaches. The EDAMM technique provides significant commercial opportunities as the method has proven to be scalable and powder morphologies can be made to order.