H2 generation during dry grinding of kaolinite

H2 generation during mechanochemical treatment of kaolinite by dry grinding was examined by X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and BET surface area measurement. The H2 concentration in the mill pot, measured by gas chromatography, increased with grinding time up to a maximum concentration of 156 ppm (0.35 micromol) after 600 min. This H2 generation is considered to occur as a result of three processes: (1) structural destruction characterized by the delamination and loss of hydroxyl groups as a result of dry grinding, (2) transformation of liberated hydroxyls into water molecules by mechanochemical effects such as prototropy, and (3) H2 generation through reaction between surface water molecules and mechanoradicals created by the rupture of Si-O or Al-O-Si bonds. Although the surface area plateaued after 240 min grinding, the H2 concentration continued to increase, indicating that surface mechanoradicals are created during this later grinding stage. Thus, H2 generation can be used as an indicator of mechanoradical formation during mechanochemical treatment.