Controlled growth of three morphological structures of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles by wet precipitation method

Magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles with three structural morphologies, needle-, lamellar- and rod-like, were synthesized individually through solution precipitation in the presence of complex dispersants. The influence of synthesis parameters on the morphological characteristics and sizes of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles precipitated in an aqueous medium was investigated, such as types of surfactants or water-soluble polymeric dispersants, reaction temperature and concentration, addition method and rate, and hydrothermal treatment of reactants. Special attention was given to obtain rod-shaped particles and stable colloidal dispersion. The obtained magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size and crystal habits by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.