Investigation of interactions in the mechanically activated α-Fe2O3/Li2CO3 reagents by thermal analysis.

The paper addresses the study of the effect of different milling modes on the reactivity of the initial α-Fe2O3 and Li2CO3 powders by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry to obtain lithium ferrite of Li0.5Fe2.5O4 chemical composition. The formation of the magnetic phase of ferrite was monitored by thermogravimetric analysis in a magnetic field. The powder mixture was mechanically activated in air at different processing time and vial rotation speed using a planetary mill. It was found that the reactivity of the initial reagents depends on milling energy intensity. A varied milling mode changes the pattern of the interaction between reagents, and therefore a temperature range, the number of stages and the rate of lithium ferrite formation. In these conditions, an increased vial rotation speed during milling makes a more significant contribution to the change in the powder reactivity as compared to longer milling time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]