Reduction of PbS and Sb2S3 with elemental Fe and Mg in dusty plasma environment created during electrical discharge assisted mechanical milling (EDAMM)

The newly developed synthesis technique of electrical discharge assisted mechanical milling (EDAMM) is used to reduce Pb and Sb sulfides using Fe and Mg as reduction agents. It is demonstrated that both Fe and Mg can successfully be used to fully reduce PbS and Sb2S3 in only 5 min using EDAMM. This is the fastest sulfide reduction technique so far developed, and has the added advantage of not requiring external heating of the reactants during processing. The reaction products are a solid mixture of larger crystal sizes than would be achieved through conventional milling.