Mechanical Milling of Lithium with Metal Oxide and its Reactivity with Gases

Li reacts with $N_2$ at room temperature. In order to activate Li, the mechanical milling of Li with stable metal oxide, namely, $Al_2O_3$ and MgO, using a high energy vibrating ball mill was performed. In the case of Li-MgO system, it reacts with $N_2$, but hardly reacts with $O_2$. The reaction with $N_2$ generally produces $Li_3N$, while for some vigorous reactions the $Mg_3N_2$ is produced as the major phases. In the case of $Li-Al_2O_3$ system, reactivities with both $N_2$ and $O_2$ are high. The difference is explained in terms of the reaction mechanism and the Li state.