Shape control of magnesium oxysulfate granules using an ethanolamine chelate

Shape control of inorganic nanomaterials during hydrothermal syntheses is crucial for fine-tuning the function of these materials, which are widely utilized in semiconductors, ceramics, and optical devices. In particular, magnesium compounds possess many desirable physical properties such as high thermal stability, wide band gap and high secondary electron emission yield, which allow their application as polymeric resins, cements, reinforcements, and fillers. However, conventional synthetic methods often require extreme reaction conditions such as high temperatures, high pressures, or prolonged reaction times. Additionally, various shape control methods are typically quite complicated and time consuming under conventional parameters. In this work, magnesium oxysulfate (5Mg(OH)2 x MgSO4 x 3H2O) granules of various shapes were fabricated by introducing ethanolamine chelate during hydrothermal reaction at a relatively low temperature and pressure. The strong interaction between ethanolamine and Mg2+ produced 5Mg(OH)2 x MgSO4 x 3H2O granules in the form of flakes, flowers, or whiskers through self-assembly this formation is dependent on concentration, reaction time, and temperature. The physicochemical properties of the samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis.