| Abstract Scope |
Understanding of how the impact of mechanical energy transforms molecules and materials at their interfaces chemically is important for a variety of expanding application fields, such as mechanochemistry, tribochemistry and -catalysis, or piezoelectric nano-generators.
Compaction of MgO, TiO2 or BaTiO3 nanoparticle powders with uniaxial pressures as achieved by gentle rubbing or pressing (p ≥ 5 MPa) excites energetic electron-hole pairs and generates oxygen radicals at grain interfaces.[1] With electron paramagnetic resonance, Diffuse Reflectance spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations, we explored the energetics of intergranular radical formation at grain surfaces and oxygen adsorbed at points of contact.[1,2] Since underlying processes can occur prior to the step of sintering, such insights serve as an important for engineering of interfaces in compressed metal oxide nanoparticle powders.
[1] Schwab, T.; et al.; J. Phys. Chem. C 2021, 125, 22239.
[2] Schwab, T; Muchová, E.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. C 2023, 127, 48, 23332. |