Composite-Hydroxide-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Magnesium Silicate Nanotube

A mild and highly efficient hydrothermal synthesis method for uniform magnesium silicate nanotubes was developed from normal Mg(OH)(2) and SiO2 powders with the assistance of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. The samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, IR, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. The synthetic process was studied by XRD, TEM, etc. The results indicate that the eutectic solution of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide offers higher dissolvability for the reactants and benefits the reaction between the reactants. This composite-hydroxide-assisted approach is a mild and highly efficient procedure for the synthesis of high quality magnesium silicate nanotubes at 250 degrees C in a short duration of 36 hours, while it needs over 7 days at 250 degrees C for traditional hydrothermal method.