Abstract
Devices used to carry out mechanochemical transformations are described. General information on the threshold mechanism of ultrafast mechanochemical synthesis in oxide systems (oxide melting points up to 3000 K) in high-energy mills are presented. Results of structural studies of complex oxides prepared by mechanochemical synthesis are analysed. Specific structural features of metastable complex oxides including high structure disorder, high vacancy concentration and inhomogeneous chemical composition are distinguished. These features are responsible for the unusual properties of mechanochemically produced nanopowders. It is noted that currently mechanochemical synthesis is becoming a competitive method for preparation of oxides and nanomaterials.