MgCO3·3H2O and MgO complex nanostructures: controllable biomimetic fabrication and physical chemical properties

In this paper, we report a method of biomimetic synthesis of MgCO(3)·3H(2)O and MgO Viburnum opulus-like complex nanostructures with superhydrophobicity and adsorption properties. The MgCO(3)·3H(2)O complex nanostructures can be obtained by changing experimental parameters, including concentrations of reactants (dextran and MgCl(2)), molar ratios of reactants, and reaction time. The phase structure of as-synthesized samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology and structure are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The MgCO(3)·3H(2)O complex nanostructures exhibited superhydrophobicity, due to their unique superstructures, and was proved by the contact angle (CA) measurement. We also show that a simple calcination of these unusually shaped MgCO(3)·3H(2)O results in spontaneous formation of MgO complex nanostructures while the unique shape can be maintained, and the as-synthesized MgO nanostructures show excellent adsorption property. These unique structures and properties will open up a wide range of potential applications in material and environmental protection.