Quantitative study of quartz sand mechanoradicals generated by ball milling

Title : Quantitative study of quartz sand mechanoradicals generated by ball milling

Abstract:

The generation and stability of mechanoradicals on the surface of quartz sand crystals induced by ball milling were systematically investigated using solid-state electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Surface radicals formed under ambient air conditions via surface reconstruction exhibited remarkable stability, allowing reliable ex situ quantification as proxies for in situ radical formation. The effects of intrinsic material properties and key milling parameters on mechanoradical concentration were evaluated in detail. Particular emphasis was placed on the critical roles of molecular oxygen and water, both during and post-milling, in driving the formation of silanol groups and oxygen-centred radical species. These findings provide new insight into the often “black-box” nature of mechanochemical processes1 and advance the understanding of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation during the mechanical grinding of quartz and silicate minerals.

Biography:

She completed her MSc in Chemistry at the K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Iran, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the lab of Dr. Erin Leitao in Auckland, New Zealand. Her research focuses on the mechanochemical activation of naturally abundant quartz sand to initiate radical reactions in organic synthesis. Her research interests include mechanochemistry and mechanically activated materials, such as piezoelectric, triboelectric, and mechanoluminescent solids, and their ability to induce chemical transformations through applied mechanical forces, aiming to reduce waste, lower energy demand, and minimize reliance on hazardous initiators, supporting sustainable chemical manufacturing.