In situ observation of a mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction for synthesis of silver

Abstract

We investigated in situ the mechanical reduction of silver chloride with aluminum using synchrotron X-ray diffraction with thermography at SPring-8 BL02B2. A mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction (MSR) was observed for 2 minutes following an activation period of 9 minutes under the present milling conditions. The in situ data were analyzed using our developed multi-distance method. The crystal growth of silver was observed from the activation period and was accelerated by the MSR. The growth kinetics induced by the MSR continued for 6 minutes. The in situ monitoring clearly distinguished the reaction and crystal growth in the synthesis. We found the two dimensional growth of silver and that reducing the size of silver chloride is dominant in the activation period for the MSR.