Surface Diffusion Research Articles

The Integrated Preparation of Porous Tungsten Gradient Materials with a Wide Porosity Range

Porous tungsten gradient materials with ordered gradient variations in pore size have significant application value in the field of vacuum electronic devices. This work combines tape casting and dealloying methods to achieve the integrated preparation of porous tungsten gradient materials with a wide range of controllable porosity. The study focused on the phase composition and microstructure evolution during the preparation of porous tungsten gradient materials. The results show that the tape casting process allows for the precise and controllable thickness of each layer of the porous tungsten materials and uniform composition structure, while the stepwise dealloying of Fe and Ti enables a wide range of controllable porosity for the porous tungsten gradient materials. PVB, after thermal decomposition, provides a carbon source for the in situ reaction to form W-Fe-C compounds, and the surface diffusion behavior of W-Fe-C compounds at high temperatures improves the stratification of the porous tungsten gradient materials. This work provides a design concept for the integrated preparation of porous metal gradient materials.

Coupled surface diffusion and mean curvature motion: An axisymmetric system with two grains and a hole

Thin polycrystalline solid state films, which are used in many technological applications, can exhibit various phenomena, such as wetting, dewetting, and hole formation. We focus on a model system containing two contacting grains which surround a hole. For simplicity, the system is assumed to be axisymmetric, to be supported by a planar substrate and to be bounded within an inert semi-infinite cylinder. We assume that the exterior surfaces of the grains evolve by surface diffusion and the grain boundary between the adjacent grains evolve by motion by mean curvature. Boundary conditions are imposed following W.W. Mullins, 1958. Parametric formulas are derived for the steady states, which contain two nodoids describing the exterior surfaces, which are coupled to a catenoid which describes the grain boundary. At steady state, the physical parameters of the system may be prescribed via two angles, β \beta , the angle between the exterior surface and the grain boundary, and θ c \theta _c , the contact angle between the exterior surface and the substrate; additionally, there are two dimensionless geometric parameters which must satisfy certain constraints. We prove that if β ∈ ( π / 2 , π ) \beta \in (\pi /2, \pi ) and θ c = π \theta _c=\pi , then there exists a continuum of steady states. Numerical calculations indicate that steady state profiles can exhibit physical features, such as hillock formation; a fuller numerical study of the steady states and their properties recently appeared in Zigelman and Novick-Cohen [J. Appl. Phys. 134 (2023), 135302], which relies on the formulas and results derived here.

Microscopic self-healing of multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified asphalt based on the dual diffusion-energy theory

To investigate the self-healing performance of multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified asphalt and its influencing mechanism, the asphalt molecular self-healing models were established by the molecular dynamics method. The results were analyzed based on molecular diffusion theory and surface energy repair theory. Based on the Arrhenius model, two theories were combined, and a new index healing factor was proposed to evaluate the self-healing performance by considering the diffusion characteristics and energy changes of asphalt molecules. The results show that multi-walled carbon nanotubes can accelerate the diffusion behavior of molecules in the temperature of 278--318 K to improve the self-healing properties of asphalt. Based on the proposed surface free energy equation, the self-healing properties are reasonably evaluated; the enthalpy change can be used as an index for judging the self-healing performance. The transformation model of the diffusion coefficient and cohesive work and the new index can reflect the self-healing performance more comprehensively.

Effect of water film evaporation on the shale gas transmission in inorganic nanopores under viscosity.

Shale gas reservoirs generally have ultra-low water saturation, and the water in reservoirs is closely bound to the walls of inorganic nanopores, forming a water film structure on the hydrophilic surface. When shale gas enters the inorganic nanopores, the water films in the inorganic pores will be removed by evaporation instead of being driven away by the gas, which increases the difficulty of predicting production during shale gas extraction. Based on molecular dynamics simulations, a water film evaporation model is proposed, considering the evaporation of water films during shale gas transport and the influence of water film evaporation on the shale gas transport mechanism. The Green-Kubo method is employed to calculate the viscosity of the water film. The evaporation flux of the water film under the influence of viscosity is discussed in the evaporation model. The transport mechanisms of shale gas in nanopores and the effect of water film evaporation on shale gas transport mechanisms are analyzed in detail. The result indicates that the water films in the inorganic nanopores are constrained on the hydrophilic surface, and the viscosity normal to the surface of the water film of 4Å is 0.005 26 Pa⋅S, which is 6.12 times the reference value of viscosity at 298K. In the process of water film evaporation, the evaporation flux of the water film is influenced by viscosity. In the study of the shale gas transport mechanism, water films in inorganic nanopores can hinder the surface diffusion of the methane molecules adsorbed on boundary and significantly reduce the mass flux of shale gas.

Increasing thermodynamic stability and electrochemical performance of IT-SOFC cathodes based on Ln2MO4 (Ln = La, Pr; M = Ni, Cu)

La2-xPrxNi1-yCuyO4+δ (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, y = 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were synthesized by a citrate-nitrate method and studied as cathode materials for IT-SOFCs by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in symmetrical cells based on the Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-δ (SDC) and La28-zW4+zO54+1.5z (z = 0.85, LWO) electrolytes. Phase identification and crystal structure analysis by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) shows that solubility of copper y decreases with the increase in praseodymium content x due to increasing structural distortions. Thermodynamic stability of La2-xPrxNi1-yCuyO4+δ at intermediate temperatures in air tends to decrease with praseodymium doping level x and increases with copper substitution for nickel y. Oxides with x = 0.5 and 0.6≤y ≤ 0.8 are shown to be thermodynamically stable at 700 °C in air. Electrochemical performance of the La2-xPrxNi1-yCuyO4+δ electrodes improves with praseodymium and copper doping. The results of EIS measurements at different temperatures and oxygen partial pressures (P(O2)) reveal that the rate-determining step of the overall electrochemical process is charge transfer, which can be a combination of surface diffusion and bulk diffusion. EIS studies in dry and wet air indicate the presence of proton conduction in the studied electrodes. The area-specific resistances (ASRs) for La2-xPrxNi1-yCuyO4+δ with x = 0.5, y = 0.6 and y = 0.8 in contact with SDC are comparable with those reported for Pr2NiO4+δ and equal to 0.07 and 0.065 Ω cm2 at 800 °C.

Mobility of water and ions in partially water-saturated compacted MX-80 bentonite in relation with swelling pressure

Many countries are planning to host long-lived high- and intermediate-level radioactive waste in disposal facilities sited in deep argillaceous formations. Bentonite, as a swelling material, is often chosen as engineered buffers due to its low permeability and high swelling capacity. However, its properties can be influenced by the hydraulic/gas conditions prevailing in-situ that are expected to change throughout the duration of the repository. The objective of this work is to estimate the effect of partially water-saturated conditions on the mobility of water and ions in compacted MX-80 bentonite in relation to the evolution of its swelling pressure. For that purpose, (i) diffusion of water and ions (I− and Na+) and (ii) the swelling pressure of compacted bentonite samples partially water-saturated were studied by means of the osmotic technique that allows controlling the suction from 9 to 0 MPa.Results showed that (i) water diffusivity remained unchanged independently of the degrees of saturation (70, 84 and 100%) and (ii) iodide diffusivity decreased by a factor of 12 (from 100 to 70%), while (iii) Na+ diffusion was reduced by a factor of more than 70 (from 100 to 70%), associated to a drop of the distribution factor by a factor of 16. Comparison of these results with diffusion data already acquired in clayey materials whose porous structure evolves little with suction (i.e. compacted kaolinite and intact Collovo-oxfordian clay-rocks) underlined how the bentonite porous structure whose organization evolved with the degree of saturation is a key parameter. This statement is supported by mechanical tests, which indicated a distinct evolution of the swelling pressure curves depending on the degree of saturation. At 70% saturation, mechanical tests indicate (i) a preservation of the large inter-aggregate porosity where water can diffuse in both vapor and liquid phases, and (ii) a final swelling pressure 1.5 to 2 times lower than at full water saturation, meaning that a part of swelling clay particles was not accessible to water ingress and so to 22Na+. Conversely, at 84 % and 100 % saturation, change in swelling pressure curves was explained by a collapse of bentonite inter-aggregate porosity, in favor of expanding the inter-particle and interlayer porosities where 22Na + diffusion is enhanced by surface diffusion phenomenon.

Investigating Hydrocarbon Gases Permeability Through Hollow Fiber Hybrid Carbon Membrane

Hydrocarbon separation from natural gases is a critical procedure in the chemical and petrochemical industries. This study used hollow fiber carbon membranes (HFCMs) made from a commercially available co-polyimide, P84, with zeolite-carbon composite (ZCC) as a filler to separate light hydrocarbons like CH4/C3H8 and CH4/C2H6. The Arrhenius technique was used to evaluate the effects of temperature fluctuations (298, 323, and 373 K) on the membrane. X-ray diffraction exhibited a characteristic graphite peak at 2θ ~ 44°, indicating the creation of an effective carbon membrane. SEM investigation revealed the compactness of both pristine and hybrid carbon membrane structures. The operating temperature has a significant influence on the gas penetration through the membrane when evaluating gas permeation. The hybrid carbon membrane has the highest permeability for CH4, C2H6, and C3H8 at 373 K. (81.86, 61.82, and 58.28 Barrer, respectively). The carbon membrane also showed greatest selectivity for CH4/C3H8 and CH4/C2H6 at 323 K (2.24 and 2.04, respectively). Adsorption and surface diffusion were the membrane's transport mechanisms. By adding filler to the membrane, the gas permeability was temperature dependent.

One step synthesis of FeOx magnetic nanoparticles in the microreactor with intensively swirling flows

One step method of iron oxides nanoparticles synthesis using novel type of microreactors was reported. All the data received from analysis of physical and chemical properties demonstrated that the nanoparticles obtained by means of the new method are similar to the nanopowders synthesized by wet precipitation. They are magnetite-maghemite solid solutions with unit cell parameter between 8.362 and 8.374 Å, with coherent scattering range values about 9 nm. In comparison with precipitated nanopowders they have lesser degree of agglomeration. Samples obtained in microreactor have smaller value and smaller spread in regard of the specific surface (76–86 m2/g) in comparison with precipitated ones (75–125 m2/g). All the samples from microreactor consist of spherical inhomogeneities with a diffuse surface, while sample of iron oxide nanopowder synthesized by the co-precipitation method consists of scattering cylindrical inhomogeneities with nearly smooth phase boundary. It was shown that microreactor with intensively swirling flows has demonstrated several advantages: (i) possibility to control the degree of oxidation of the product which depends on the flow rates of reagents solutions to the reactor; (ii) high productivity (up to 7 L/min for the suspension with particles, approx. 200 kg/day for the dried particles) that eases the scaling-up of the proposed synthesis method.

Irreversibility analysis for the EMHD flow of silver and magnesium oxide hybrid nanofluid due to nonlinear thermal radiation

Hybrid nanofluids were expressed by heat-transfer fluids into greater surface dispersion capabilities, stability and diffusion related for traditional nanofluids. The effort on the flow of volumetric entropy generation and convective heat transport of MHD hybrid nanofluid is considered. Hybrid nanofluid involves the field over the orderly stretchable surface for variable heat flux with the resistance of electric field. Effect on convective heating and nonlinear thermal radiation is again contained in the interpreted figure. Mathematical equations such as momentum, energy, conservation of mass and entropy were collected as conversion to governing partial differential equations by ordinary differential equations, utilizing similarity variables. An efficient finite element method (FEM) is used. Numerical calculations were accomplished for silver–magnesium oxide water (Ag-MgO/H2O) hybrid nanofluid and conventional silver water (Ag-H2O) nanofluid. The graphs were created by the temperature, velocity, and entropy profiles. to analyse the impact on governing parameters. These skin friction and heat transfer rates are analysed through regression analysis. The important allegation expressed by the hybrid Nanofluid has the best heat transfer rate, which is related to convectional nanofluid. Further, It raised the Brinkman number and Reynolds number and developed a total entropy of the structure.

Reconstruction of transparent objects using phase shifting profilometry based on diffusion models

Phase shifting profilometry is an important technique for reconstructing the three-dimensional (3D) geometry of objects with purely diffuse surfaces. However, it is challenging to measure the transparent objects due to the pattern aliasing caused by light refraction and multiple reflections inside the object. In this work, we analyze the aliasing fringe pattern formation for transparent objects and then, propose to learn the front surface light intensity distribution based on the formation principle by using the diffusion models for generating the non-aliased fringe patterns reflected from the front surface only. With the generated fringe patterns, the 3D shape of the transparent objects can be reconstructed via the conventional structured light. We show the feasibility and performance of the proposed method on the data of purely transparent objects that are not seen in the training stage. Moreover, we found it could be generalized to other cases with local-transparent and translucent objects, showing the potential capability of the diffusion based learnable framework in tackling the problems of transparent object reconstruction.

Development of an amine-impregnated polymer aerogel for CO2 capture

The synthesis and characterization of amine-impregnated polymer aerogels for CO2 capture represents a groundbreaking advancement in combating the urgent challenges of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and climate change mitigation. The traditional way of synthesizing aerogels for CO2 capture is to use a one-step gelation process without functionalizing the aerogel, which, to some extent, has low CO2 capture capacity and kinetics. This study finds a method of synthesizing the functionalized aerogel, which has high CO2 adsorption capacity, faster kinetic, and is more stable. The polymer aerogel was developed using an oil-water emulsion polymerization method, followed by freeze-drying. It was impregnated with a mono-ethanolamine (MEA) solution to enhance CO2 adsorption. The performance of the amine-impregnated poly (AAm-co-AAc) aerogels was tested in a continuous adsorption column filled with aerogel. The adsorption results showed the amine-impregnated aerogels having an amine equilibrium uptake value of 40% had significantly improved CO2 capture capacity up to 2.34 mmole g−1 at 1 bar pressure, 25 °C reaction temperature, and 10 ml/min flow rate. The polymeric aerogel has a very fast adsorption rate, as it can capture 90% of its maximum capacity within just 10 minutes. Then the kinetic data of the CO2 adsorption was modelled and found to best fit on both pseudo-1st and 2nd-order kinetic models, proposing that the adsorption mechanism on aerogel was controlled by surface diffusion and chemisorption. Furthermore, the isotherm data were evaluated and observed to be best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model, suggesting monolayer formation on the aerogel. After five adsorption-desorption cycles, the amine impregnated poly (AAm-co-AAc) aerogel was able to preserve the initial capacity without a significant decrease. These findings underscore the immense ability of amine-impregnated poly (AAm-co-AAc) aerogels as highly efficient adsorbents for CO2 capture, thus offering a speedy adsorption process and showing stable regeneration capacity, thereby exhibiting greater industrial application potential.

Refinement of Nanoporous Cu by Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Photodegradation of Methyl Orange by Cu2O Nanowires and Nanoporous Cu Photocatalysts

Refinement of nanoporous Cu (NP Cu) by the addition of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in HF solution during dealloying of Ti40.6Zr9.4Cu40.6Ni6.3Sn3.1 amorphous ribbons and effect of the surface coverage of Cu2O nanowires obtained by immersing NP Cu in dehydrated ethanol on the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) pollutants were investigated. The sizes of pores and ligaments of NP Cu decrease significantly with the increase of PVP concentration in the dealloying solutions, accompanied by a drastic decrease in the surface diffusivity and the dislocation defect densities. The surface coverage of Cu2O nanowires becomes higher with an increase of the PVP reagents. The Cu2O nanowires@nanoporous Cu (Cu2O@NP Cu) catalysts show excellent photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of MO under the sunlight due to the existence of large amounts of heterojunctions between Cu2O nanowires and Cu ligaments in nanoscale.

Effect of Monovalent Cations on the Structure and Dynamics of Multimodal Chromatographic Surfaces.

While multimodal (MM) chromatography is a promising approach for purifying proteins, the lack of a fundamental understanding of how ion-ligand interactions govern selectivity limits its use in the biopharmaceutical industry. This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to study the interactions between simple monovalent cations and two commonly used structurally similar multimodal chromatography ligands, the Capto ligand and Nuvia cPrime, immobilized on the surface. On the Capto ligand surface, ion presence and type play a key role in modulating the formation of phenyl rings and carboxylate clusters. The flexible linkage attaching the Capto ligand to the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surface allowed multiple ligands to form interactions with the small cations, while large cations interacted less strongly, following the order Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Cs+. Thus, smaller cations resulted in greater ordering on the surface and lower ion diffusivities, while larger cations resulted in less ordering and higher ion diffusivities, following the order Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Cs+. In contrast, due to the rigid attachment of Nuvia cPrime to the SAM surfaces, the cations bound less strongly and had a much smaller effect on ligand clustering or ordering. Additionally, ions in the presence of the Nuvia cPrime surface had generally greater diffusivities than those in the presence of the Capto ligand. Overall, the interaction of cations with the multimodal ligands can lead to unique configurations on the SAM that likely contribute to differential behavior in biological separations.

A multi-phase-field model of void crossing grain boundary under electromigration-induced anisotropic surface diffusion in interconnects

Under the external electric field, the voids in polycrystalline interconnect lines will exhibit different morphology evolution when crossing grain boundary. Predicting the void crossing process caused by electromigration is an important aspect to improve the reliability of miniaturized integrated circuits. Based on the basic theoretical framework of microstructural evolution in solid materials, a new multi-phase-field model is established in this paper to simulate the process of void crossing grain boundary under anisotropic surface diffusion caused by electromigration in bicrystal interconnect line. Through asymptotic analysis, the compatibility of the multi-phase-field model with the sharp interface model in the limit case is proven. The corresponding finite-element program is developed and the reliability of the model is verified by comparing the numerical simulation with the theoretical solution. The results indicate that the process of void crossing grain boundary is governed by the crystal orientation and the misorientation difference of two adjacent grains. Under different misorientation differences, the void in (110) crystal orientation has two evolutional bifurcation trends: void splitting and tilting drift, while the void in (100) and (111) crystal orientation always remains as a whole and drifts along the direction of the electric field. The void in (111) crystal orientation is the easiest to cross the grain boundary, the fastest to cross the grain boundary, and the influence of the misorientation difference is minimal. This can prevent the void from being pinned by the grain boundary and extending along the grain boundary to cause failure, so as to effectively improve the reliability of the interconnects and extend the service life of the integrated circuit.

Impact of grain boundary and surface diffusion on predicted fission gas bubble behavior and release in UO2 fuel

In this work, we quantify the impact of grain boundary (GB) and surface diffusion on fission gas bubble evolution and fission gas release in UO2 nuclear fuel using simulations with a hybrid phase field/cluster dynamics model. We begin with a comprehensive literature review of uranium vacancy and xenon atom diffusivity in UO2 through the bulk, along GBs, and along surfaces. In our model we represent fast GB and surface diffusion using a heterogeneous diffusivity that is a function of the order parameters that represent bubbles and grains. We find that the GB diffusivity directly impacts the rate of gas release via GB transport, and that the GB diffusivity is likely below 104 times the lower value from Olander and van Uffelen (2001). We also find that the surface diffusivity impacts bubble coalescence and mobility, and that the bubble surface diffusivity is likely below 10−4 times the value from Zhou and Olander (1984).

Electrochemical properties of Sr-doped La2-xSrxCe2O7-δ hydrogen separation membrane

The prominence of hydrogen energy has brought membrane separation technology to forefront attention. La2Ce2O7, possessing a fluorite structure, exhibits notable stability in both H2O and CO2, rendering it a prospective material for membrane separation. The impact of Sr doping on the electrochemical characteristics of La2Ce2O7 was systematically investigated. The findings indicate that a minor addition of Sr2+ through doping enhances the electrical conductivity, with the most significant improvement observed in La2-xSrxCe2O7-δ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.30) when doped by 0.05. Elevated temperature and increased hydrogen partial pressure on the feed side enhance hydrogen permeability. Hydrogen permeation is predominantly governed by bulk diffusion when the membrane thickness exceeds 0.59 mm, while for thicknesses below 0.49 mm, the process is influenced by both surface and bulk diffusion. Moreover, the doped La2Ce2O7 exhibit commendable stability in H2O and CO2 environments. Consequently, La2Ce2O7 emerges as a promising candidate for ceramic hydrogen separation membranes.

High-temperature Mo-based metallic glass thin films with tunable microstructure and mechanical behaviors

Developing high-temperature metallic glass thin films (MGTFs) with excellent combination properties is crucial for extending the practical applications of metallic glasses. A high-temperature multicomponent Mo-based MGTF with tunable microstructure prepared by single-target magnetron sputtering was presented in this study. Corresponding mechanical behaviors and thermal stability of MGTFs related to microstructure are systemically explored. By adjusting deposition parameters (pressure and power), the microstructure of as-deposited MGTFs can be altered from the dense homogeneous type to the loose nanoglass type. Such structure evolution can be explained by the competition between the surface diffusion and geometric shadowing effect. MGTFs with dense microstructure possess smaller surface roughness, higher hardness, higher Young’s modulus, and better wear resistance. Moreover, they also possess higher thermal stability where the fully amorphous structure and smooth surface can be well maintained after vacuum annealing at 1123 K for 30 min. By contrast, the MGTF with nanoglass microstructure shows inferior mechanical properties and thermal stability due to plentiful loose interface regions, providing abundant free volumes during deformation and acting as favorable crystal nucleation sites during annealing. The correlation between the microstructure and properties of as-deposited MGTFs is clarified with the universal scaling law of glasses. The annealing treatment distinctly increases the hardness and Young’s modulus of MGTFs. Meanwhile, after annealing, pop-in behaviors occur in the as-annealed MGTFs with dense microstructure but not in the as-annealed MGTF with nanoglass microstructure during the nanoindentation. These phenomena can be rationalized by the annihilation of free volumes during annealing and the evolution of the dynamical variable, shear transition zone, for the plastic deformation in MGTFs.

ADJUSTABLE NITROOXIDATION TECHNOLOGY FOR LOW ALLOY STEEL

The article discusses the production of a surface diffusion nitride-oxide layer on low-alloy structural steel with specified structures and properties. To develop a controlled technology for nitro-oxidation of low-alloy carbon steel, the dependences of the composition and structure of the nitrided and oxide layer on the chemical composition of the steel and the technological parameters of the process were studied. Technical iron was used as a model alloy and samples of industrial steel grades 40X, P6M5 and steel 45 were processed. Saturation temperatures were studied in the ranges above and below the eutectoid temperature for the “Fe-N” system and, accordingly, for the “Fe-O” system and it was found that the best structures are at saturation temperatures below the eutectoid

Controlled formation of three-dimensional cavities during lateral epitaxial growth

Epitaxial growth is a fundamental step required to create devices for the semiconductor industry, enabling different materials to be combined in layers with precise control of strain and defect structure. Patterning the growth substrate with a mask before performing epitaxial growth offers additional degrees of freedom to engineer the structure and hence function of the semiconductor device. Here, we demonstrate that conditions exist where such epitaxial lateral overgrowth can produce complex, three-dimensional structures that incorporate cavities of deterministic size. We grow germanium on silicon substrates patterned with a dielectric mask and show that fully-enclosed cavities can be created through an unexpected self-assembly process that is controlled by surface diffusion and surface energy minimization. The result is confined cavities enclosed by single crystalline Ge, with size and position tunable through the initial mask pattern. We present a model to account for the observed cavity symmetry, pinch-off and subsequent evolution, reflecting the dominant role of surface energy. Since dielectric mask patterning and epitaxial growth are compatible with conventional device processing steps, we suggest that this mechanism provides a strategy for developing electronic and photonic functionalities.

Kinetics of microwave carbothermal reduction of Sb2O3: Isothermal and non‐isothermal microwave thermogravimetric analysis

AbstractKinetics of antimony production via carbothermal reduction of Sb2O3–carbon powder–NaCl mixture using microwave and conventional heating was investigated to identify the dominant controlling mechanism. Results of conventional heating revealed the temperature range of conventional carbothermal reduction reaction is 500°C to 800°C, with the average activation energy of each stage being 81.97 kJ/mol (α = 0.1–0.5), 65.17 kJ/mol (α = 0.5–0.75), and 69.86 kJ/mol (α = 0.75–1.0), respectively. In the microwave field, the carbothermal reduction reaction of raw materials can be completed at 600°C to obtain antimony, and the weight loss data of the carbothermal reduction process were recorded for the first time. The above results show that the microwave field enhanced the interfacial chemical effect, accelerated the interfacial diffusion from the metal phase to the oxide phase, and reduced the activation energy of the carbon thermal reduction process to 6.85 kJ/mol. The growth index of antimony grain growth process is estimated to be 4.33, controlled by the surface diffusion. These data provide a reliable theoretical basis for studying the reduction reactions of minerals in microwave fields.