Morphological and surface structural evolutions of MgO particles from parallelograms to rods

Abstract

The morphologies and surface structures of particles with different compositions are vital for determining their properties and applications. But the morphological and structural changes associated with the composition changes of MgO precursors and the physicochemical properties of the obtained MgO are barely studied. Herein we reported the morphology, surface structure and physicochemical property changes of MgO particles associated with the ratio of two basic precipitation reagents (Na₂C₂O₄ and K₂CO₃) for the construction of MgO precursors. We also found that the physicochemical properties of the obtained MgO were closely related to the ratios of Na₂C₂O₄ and K₂CO₃. When the ratio was 1 : 1, the generated MgO exhibited superior surface basicity and catalytic performance relative to others.