Structural Alterations in Smithsonite during High-Energy Ball Milling

Smithsonite, ZnCO₃, from Zamantı-Kayseri, Turkey, was subjected to high-energy milling. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to study amorphisation in the structure and the alterations of bands in the structure were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Characterization of milled smithsonite by X-ray diffraction analysis has shown that disappearance, decrease and/or shifting of the patterns occurred with mechanical activation, which means that amorphisation was taking place. Amorphisation was also demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, where shifting of band centers was observed.