Synthesis of Magnesium Borate Nanorods by Sol-Gel Process

Abstract

The magnesium borate (MgB4O7 and Mg2B2O5) nanorods were fabricated with magnesium nitrate, boric acid and citric acid as the starting reagents by the sol-gel method. The structures and morphologies of the nanorods were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the products synthesized by calcining were MgB4O7 at 750℃and Mg2B2O5 at 950℃. The ratios of diameter and length of the nanorods can be controlled by adjusting the proportion of Mg(NO3)2 and H3BO3. The self-catalytic mechanism was used to explain the growth of the magnesium borate nanorods.