Application of nano-plant powder ball milling preparation technology
Hydraulic Gantry Shear,Scrap Metal Recycling Gantry Cutter, Metal Shear Jiangyin Hangli Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.hanglimachinery.com
The development of nano-plant powder products, such as nano-pollen, fungi, and other natural plant-based health foods, as well as valuable medicinal plants like ginseng, ganoderma spores, pearls, and cordyceps, is progressing slowly. Even toxic medicinal plants such as sphagnum are still in the early stages of research and development. These projects involve both scientific and technical challenges. While some scientific studies have been published on nano-plant powders, this article focuses on the practical application issues.
Lu Qing and Qu Yuan have developed two innovative technologies—multi-dimensional oscillating high-energy nano-ball milling and multi-level grading nano-ball milling—which have significantly advanced the preparation of nano-plant powders. The former has already received a patent, while the latter is in the trial phase.
1. **Nano-Plant Ball Milling Preparation Technology**
**Multi-Dimensional Oscillating High-Energy Nano-Ball Milling:**
This technology uses rapid multi-directional movement within the mill tank to create intense impact forces by moving the grinding media in irregular patterns. This increases the impact energy and reduces blind spots, resulting in much higher efficiency than traditional ball mills. It can achieve particle sizes as small as 10 nm with improved uniformity. Qinhuangdao Taiji Ring Nano-product Co., Ltd. has successfully used this equipment to produce nano-foods like nano-tea and nano-coffee, as well as nano-medicines such as external pastes, and has begun promoting its use in various industries.
The equipment is versatile and can be used for nano-scale processing of not only plants but also metals, non-metals, alloys, minerals, and medicinal materials. For flammable or explosive substances, protective gases like argon or nitrogen must be added.
**Multi-Level Grading Nano-Ball Milling:**
This method mimics the motion of a bartender's arm, enabling repeated bidirectional movements that increase the chances of collision between the grinding media. This leads to high-energy impacts, allowing the material to be continuously processed through multiple chambers with varying sizes of grinding media, ultimately achieving a particle size of 10 nm or smaller. It is an open system capable of continuous feeding and discharging, supporting both dry and wet grinding. It can be applied to a wide range of organic and inorganic materials, including plants, animals, minerals, and ceramics.
2. **Challenges in Nano-Plant Powder Ball Milling**
**Temperature Control:**
High-energy ball milling generates significant heat, which can cause plant materials to carbonize. To preserve the integrity of plant components, temperature control is crucial. Although liquid nitrogen cooling is possible, it introduces impurities and is costly. We use water-cooled jackets to maintain stable temperatures during the process.
**Moisture Management:**
Plant materials typically contain 5–10% moisture, making them more elastic and harder to grind. Drying at 55°C for 4–6 hours before ball milling improves brittleness and results in better outcomes. Fresh materials can be pulped first, then processed into a slurry using high-energy ball milling followed by spray drying.
**Sticky and Tough Materials:**
Plants rich in sugars, oils, or gums may stick to the balls during milling, leading to poor dispersion. Wet grinding methods, where water is added to form a slurry before ball milling, help prevent adhesion and improve dispersion. After milling, spray drying ensures the retention of original properties.
**Pollution Issues:**
High-energy ball milling can introduce contaminants, especially when using steel balls. Replacing them with zirconia balls and lining the tank with zirconia helps reduce contamination. Zirconium is also a trace element beneficial to human bones and teeth, making it safe for use in food and supplements.
**Particle Agglomeration:**
Nanosized particles have high surface energy and tend to clump together. Adding dispersants or surface modifiers before ball milling improves dispersion and prevents sedimentation. This ensures better solubility and stability in drinks.
**Particle Size and Uniformity:**
While nanoscale particles are ideal, excessively small sizes (below 100 nm) may lead to instability or side effects. We aim for a range of 60–180 nm, balancing absorption and stability. Using a three-step method—traditional crushing, air jet milling, and high-energy ball milling—reduces processing time and minimizes pollution.
3. **Future Prospects of Nano-Plant Ball Milling Technology**
Plants are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and medicinal compounds that are essential for human health. However, without proper processing, these components are not fully absorbed. Ball milling offers a cost-effective and efficient way to break down plant cells and release their active ingredients.
Our research and development have demonstrated that the new ball milling technologies provide a pure physical method of processing, preserving the natural integrity of plant components. These innovations have great potential in food, health care, cosmetics, and traditional medicine sectors, offering products with high solubility, bioavailability, and long-lasting effects.
As we continue to refine and apply these technologies, we believe they will bring significant value to the plant processing industry, driving innovation and improving the quality of plant-based products worldwide.