Mechanochemical activation can be defined as a process able to induce structural disorder through intensive grinding. In certain conditions, it may increase the chemical reactivity of the processed material. The process is extensively utilized in extractive metallurgy, synthesis of nanocomposites or pharmacology. It is also considered an environmentally friendly alternative to activate kaolinitic clay avoiding high calcination temperature. This paper aims to give a comprehensive overview of the process, its evolution, process parameters and applications. The paper focuses on the mechanochemical treatment of natural clay minerals, aiming at their transformation into cementitious or pozzolanic materials. It provides a summarized review of the theories related to the mechanochemistry and discusses commonly used models. The paper also analyzes various key factors and parameters controlling the mechanochemical activation process. The optimization and control of the several factors, as the filling ratio, the grinding media, the velocity, the time of grinding, etc., can promote developments and new research opportunities on different fields of application. Examples of applications, with a special focus on mechanochemically activated clay minerals and their use as cementitious binders, are listed as well.

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天然粘土矿物的机械化学活化：生产可持续胶结粘合剂的替代品 - 评论

机械化学活化可以定义为能够通过密集研磨引起结构紊乱的过程。在某些条件下，它可能会增加加工材料的化学反应性。该过程广泛用于提取冶金、纳米复合材料的合成或药理学。它也被认为是一种环境友好的替代品，可以激活高岭土，避免高煅烧温度。本文旨在全面概述该工艺、其演变、工艺参数和应用。该论文侧重于天然粘土矿物的机械化学处理，旨在将其转化为胶凝材料或火山灰材料。它提供了与机械化学相关的理论的总结回顾，并讨论了常用的模型。本文还分析了控制机械化学活化过程的各种关键因素和参数。对填充比、研磨介质、速度、研磨时间等几个因素的优化和控制，可以促进不同应用领域的发展和新的研究机会。还列出了应用实例，特别关注机械化学活化的粘土矿物及其作为胶结粘合剂的用途。