MECHANOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE SOLID-STATE REDUCTION OF METAL OXIDE SPECIES

Authors

Trevor Webster, Western Kentucky UniversityFollow

Publication Date

8-2025

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Lester Pesterfield, Bangbo Yan, David Wolfgang

Degree Program

Department of Chemistry

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Redox reactions are commonly performed in aqueous solutions. Mechanochemistry offers an alternative route to conduct these reactions in the absence of a solvent. The current research project investigates the feasibility of performing solid-state redox reactions using mechanochemistry as a means to initiate. Utilizing a Wig-L-Bug, sodium metavanadate and vanadium(V) oxide are milled with various inorganic and organic reducing agents. Zn, Mg, Na₂SO₃, ascorbic acid, and benzoic acid were selected due to the agents’ high reduction potential and ability to reduce vanadium(V) species in acidic or basic solutions. The use of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allows for the characterization of the milled products. Additionally, the lanthanoid oxides of ytterbium(III) oxide and europium(III) oxide are milled with Mg. The extent of the reduction for each metal oxide was investigated by varying the milling times. The current research has demonstrated the feasibility of using mechanochemistry to perform solid-state reduction of NaVO₃, V₂O₅, and Eu₂O₃ utilizing Mg powder in a Wig-L-Bug 30^® mixer/grinder.

Disciplines

Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry | Materials Chemistry

Recommended Citation

Webster, Trevor, "MECHANOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE SOLID-STATE REDUCTION OF METAL OXIDE SPECIES" (2025). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 3856.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/3856