Solid-state synthesis of Mg 2Si via short-duration ball-milling and low-temperature annealing

Abstract

In this work, a short duration ball-milling of elemental Mg and Si followed by a thermal treatment is suggested in order to synthesize magnesium silicide via solid-state reaction. The formation of magnesium silicide was studied in terms of its structure and thermal characteristics by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Pure Mg 2Si was formed after short milling and heating at temperatures as low as 280 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis was performed to study the kinetics of the reaction. The activation energy of the reaction was calculated using the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall and Friedman methods. The thermoelectric properties suggested semiconducting behavior whereas thermal conductivity values of highly dense hot-pressed pellets are consistent with the literature. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.