Microwave Assisted Preparation of Magnesium Hydroxide Nano-sheets

Khaled M. Saoud^1, , Shaukat Saeed^{1, 2}, Rola M. Al-Soubaihi³ and Massimo F. Bertino³

¹Liberal Arts and Science Program, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Qatar

²Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan

³Department of Physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Cite this paper:
Khaled M. Saoud, Shaukat Saeed, Rola M. Al-Soubaihi and Massimo F. Bertino. Microwave Assisted Preparation of Magnesium Hydroxide Nano-sheets. American Journal of Nanomaterials. 2014; 2(2):21-25. doi: 10.12691/ajn-2-2-2

Abstract

In this paper, we present a novel synthesis approach for preparation of Magnesium Hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂, having nano-sheets morphologies that can find applications in plastic industry as flame-retardant and reinforcing material and can be used for conservation of paper based cultural heritage. The nanomaterials were successfully synthesized using novel microwave synthesis technique using Magnesium sulfates as precursor and Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as dispersant. The nano-sheets were produced through a reaction of Magnesium sulfates with NaOH in a microwave chemical reactor, operated at a controlled power rating for specific time. A good yield of the precipitates, produced as a result of reaction, were isolated, washed, dried and were subjected to heat treatment at 300°C to remove the organic dispersant. Characterization technique such as XRD, SEM, HR-TEM were used to elucidate the composition and structure of Mg(OH)₂ nanomaterial. The data obtained from these techniques confirmed successful synthesis and nano-structure of Mg(OH)₂. The BET surface area and nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements of Mg(OH)₂ nanoparticles showed a surface area of 80.27 m²/g. HRTEM analysis revealed the morphology of Mg(OH)₂ to be composed of nano sheets with a unique packing structure that gives a highly porous nano structure to the material. The Mg(OH)₂ particles with a size smaller than 5 nm were observed which, in our opinion, can be used for diverse applications.

Keywords:
Magnesium Hydroxide Nano-sheets Microwave-Assisted synthesis CTAB Magnesium Sulfate

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