Synthesis of nanocrystalline zinc powder: Investigating the influence of crystallite size and lattice strain on Debye-Waller factors

Abstract

In this investigation, nano-sized zinc particles were synthesized through a ball milling process. The Zn metal powder, milled for durations ranging from 0 to 150 h, underwent analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The study focused on determining PS (particle size) and assessing the influence of LS (lattice strain) on the DWFs (Debye–Waller factors), employing XRD principles. LSs were induced in zinc through varying milling durations, and X-ray diffractograms were captured at different stages of the milling process. The results revealed a reduction in PS and an increase in LS with prolonged milling, reaching a predominantly amorphous state at 150 h. By establishing the correlation between strain and effective DWF, the study estimated DWFs for zero strain in zinc.