Synthesis of basic magnesium carbonate microrods with a “house of cards” surface structure using rod-like particle template

Abstract

Basic magnesium carbonate (Mg 5(CO 3) 4(OH) 2·4H 2O) microrods with a surface structure of “house of cards” have been synthesized without any alkaline reagent, using rod-like particles, magnesium carbonate trihydrate, as templates. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The transformation process from rod-like MgCO 3·3H 2O particles to Mg 5(CO 3) 4(OH) 2·4H 2O microrods with a surface structure of “house of cards” was recorded. Preliminary discussions on possible growth mechanisms of Mg 5(CO 3) 4(OH) 2·4H 2O microrods are also proposed in this paper.