Novel surfactant-free synthesis of MgO nanoflakes

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 482; no. 1; pp. 548 - 551
• Main Authors: Shah, M.A., Qurashi, Ahsanulhaq
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 12-08-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; FESEM; Materials science; MgO; Nanocrystals and nanoparticles; Nanoflakes; Nanopowders; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures; Photoluminescence; Physics; Simple synthesis; Nanoflakes; MgO; Simple synthesis; FESEM; Photoluminescence; Scanning electron microscopy; Thermal decomposition; Magnesium oxide; XRD; Thickness; Nanoparticles; Morphology; Nanomaterial synthesis
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2009.04.129

A new and an environmentally benign route have been developed for the synthesis of MgO nanoflakes, which does not require any additives, surfactants and substrates. The technique is based on a very simple reaction of magnesium powder and water at temperature of 100
°C. The formation of MgO nanostructures by the reaction of metals with water is suggested to occur due to the decomposition of magnesium hydroxide at higher temperature and higher pressure. The MgO nanoflakes have an average width of 40
nm, thickness of 20
nm and length up to 1
μm. Compared with other methods, the present method is fast, economical, low temperature and free of pollution which will make it suitable for large scale production. Moreover, the technique does not require any sophisticated equipments and as such can be extended to the other metal oxides.