Mechanochemical decomposition of copper cobaltite

Abstract

Phase segregation of copper cobaltite to copper oxide and a cobaltite of higher cobalt content proceeds by a mechanochemical reaction. The grinding almost doubles the specific surface area. The composition of the surface was determined by ESCA. The Cu:Co ratio on the surface of the initial sample was twice the ratio determined by chemical analysis, and reached a value close to the average for the sample only after 10 h of treatment. In addition, Cu⁺ species were detected in the X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) of the mechano-chemically treated copper cobaltite. Simultaneously with the beginning of the phase-segregation process homogenization of the sample is attained.