Controlled synthesis and characterisation of MgOnanoparticles, thin films and polycrystalline nanorods derived from a Mg(ii) single source precursor

Abstract

The new magnesium (II) based oximato complex tris(aquo)-bis[2-(methoxyimino)-propanoato]magnesium(II) (1) has been prepared and fully characterised. This oximato complex serves as an ideal molecular single source precursor for chemical solution deposition and formation of cubic nanoscaled MgO from which thin films (2D morphology) and 1D materials (MgO rods) are accessible. A first ceramisation process starts with formation of an amorphous phase and occurs already at 190 °C and is completed after full conversion of the pre-ceramic into crystalline cubic MgO at 450 °C. Highly uniform and smooth films of MgO which show a preferential (111) orientation of the crystallites could be obtained at 450 °C. The low decomposition temperature of the precursor also allows the use of polymer based track-etched polycarbonate membranes as templates for 1D MgO structures with predictable geometric parameters (length and diameter). In this way, so far rarely observed polycrystalline MgO nanorods could be synthesised and fully characterised.