Abstract
The aim of this work was to demonstrate that high energy ball milling process can induce the formation of HgPb2 compound. It has been found mechanical milling is a very effective, low cost and simple technique to produce this material without surfactant and further annealing. The powders after milling for various durations were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. Milling parameters such as ball to raw material ration (5∶1) and milling time (2 h) were determined to be suitable for synthesising powders of HgPb2. The present investigation also demonstrates that high energy ball milling can produce high quality superconducting samples in the Hg–Pb system.
Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work supported by the FAPEMIG, FUNEPU, CNPq and FAPESP (2009/54001-2).