Effect of Na Salt on the Formation of MgO Obtained from Mg(OH)2 by Precipitation Method

Abstract

The particle size of MgO was examined as a function of the Na content in Mg(OH)2 powders and the calcination temperature. Mg(OH)2 suspension was obtained by dropwise precipitation of Mg(NO3)2·6H2O and NaOH solutions. The suspension was diluted by varying the dilution volume ratio of distilled water to Mg(OH)2 suspension to change the Na salt concentration in the suspension. Mg(OH)2 slurry was filtered and dried at 60˚C under vacuum, and then its Mg(OH)2 powder was calcined to produce MgO with different amount of Na content at 500~900˚C under air. Investigation of the physical and chemical properties of the various MgO powders with dilution ratio and calcination temperature variation was done by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, BET specific surface area and thermal gravimetric analysis. It was observed that MgO particle size could depend on the condition of calcination temperature and dilution ratio of the Mg(OH)2 suspension. The particle size of the MgO depends on the Na content remaining in the Mg(OH)2 powder, which powder was prepared by changing the dilution ratio of the Mg(OH)2 suspension. This change increased as the calcination temperature increased and decreased as the dilution ratio increased. The growth of MgO particle size according to the increase of temperature was more effective when there was a relatively high content of Na. The increase of Na content lowered the temperature at which decomposition of Mg(OH)2 to MgO took place, thereby promoting the crystal growth of MgO.