Ultrafast synthesis of Pb-doped BiCuSeO oxyselenides by high-energy ball milling

Abstract

We report on the direct ultrafast synthesis of Pb-doped BiCuSeO oxyselenides by high-energy ball milling. We show that, contrary to the mechanical alloying sintering routes used in the previous reports which require 7 - 13 hours to fabricate the BiCuSeO phase in powder form, this synthesis technique enables us to obtain pure phase materials at room temperature under air with milling time less than 60 minutes.