Transformation of mechanochemistry from a comminution tool to powerful chemical science: A bibliometric data-driven perspective

Abstract

Mechanochemistry is advancing rapidly, mainly because it enables necessary chemical transformations that are impossible with solution-based methods. However, it transformed from its beginnings as a comminution and mechanical activation tool that altered raw materials and minerals to its current position as a well-established synthetic tool. This perspective article provides insight into this transformation by discussing publications in the Scopus database classified by subject area and identifying temporal changes in the journals publishing mechanochemical research. A year-wise monitoring of articles retrieved from the Scopus database using the following eight keywords is provided: mechanochemistry, mechanochemical, ball milling, high-energy ball milling, mechanosynthesis, mechanical activation, mechanical alloying, and mechanical milling. Also, the INCOME conference series, a flagship event for the community held every 3 years, was assessed over 10 years based on the occurrence of the mentioned keywords in the contribution titles. The obtained results clearly show a shift from engineering, materials science, and physics and astronomy to chemistry, energy, and environmental sciences. This is also confirmed by shifting the character of the journals publishing mechanochmistry from materials-science-oriented ones (such as Materials Science Forum or Journal of Alloys and Compounds) to chemical journals (ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, and, very recently, RSC Mechanochemistry). Moreover, the keywords mechanical activation and mechanical alloying, which were once among the key terms in the field, have entirely vanished from the contribution titles at the recent INCOME conference. This perspective is a reminder that, in addition to significant developments in emerging fields, the older, established, and sometimes forgotten ones still have something to offer mechanochemistry.