Ultrafast Synthesis of Nanostructured Quasi-Crystalline and Crystalline Phases of Al59Cu25.5Fe12.5B3 by High-Energy Ball Milling: Microhardness, Electrical Resistivity, and Solar Cell Absorption Studies
The introduction of nanostructured materials has opened up new horizons for the creation of materials with unique properties. Quasicrystals, which have long-range order without periodicity, and nanocrystalline alloys, with grain sizes in the nanometer range, have attracted attention due to their combination of high strength, hardness, and interesting electrical properties.
This paper presents a method for ultrafast synthesis of quasicrystalline and crystalline phases of the Al59Cu25.5Fe12.5B3 alloy using a high-energy ball mill. The initial powders of aluminum, copper, iron, and boron were mixed in a stoichiometric ratio and mechanically alloyed in an argon atmosphere. The effect of milling time on the phase composition, structure, and properties of the resulting materials was studied.
X-ray phase analysis showed that after just a few hours of mechanical alloying, a quasi-crystalline phase is formed. Increasing the milling time leads to further refinement of the structure and the formation of a nanocrystalline phase. Microhardness studies showed a significant increase in hardness compared to cast alloys. Measurements of specific electrical resistance revealed its dependence on the phase composition and grain size.
The Al59Cu25.5Fe12.5B3 alloy obtained by high-energy ball milling can be used as a material for the absorbing layer in solar batteries. Studies have shown that the nanostructured material has increased absorption of solar radiation in the visible and near infrared ranges of the spectrum.
The high-energy ball mill method is an effective way of ultra-fast synthesis of nanostructured quasi-crystalline and crystalline phases of the Al59Cu25.5Fe12.5B3 alloy. The obtained materials have high mechanical and electrical properties, as well as increased absorption of solar radiation, which makes them promising for use in various fields, including solar energy.
Author: Meysam Amini, Mohammad Reza Rahimipour, Seyed Ali Tayebifard, Yahya Palizdar
Institute: Department of Ceramics, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran, Semiconductor Department, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran, Department of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran