Preparation of nanometer magnesia with high surface area and study on the influencing factors of the preparation process

Three kinds of MgC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O were prepared by precipitation method with different raw materials, and MgO with high surface area was obtained via thermal decomposition Of MgC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O in different atmospheres. The precursor MgC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O and as-prepared MgO were characterized by XRD, BET, TEM, and TG-DTA measurements. It was found that using Mg(CH3COO)(2)center dot 4H(2)O and H2C2O4 center dot 2H(2)O as the starting materials and calcining the precursor MgC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O in flowing dry gas are key factors to obtain high surface area MgO. The MgO prepared at the optimum condition is composed of nanocrystals with a size of about 4 similar to 5 nm and forms a wormhole-like porous structure with a specific surface of 534 m(2).g(-1) after calcining at 520 degrees C. In addition, the MgO has good thermal stability, after being calcined at 650 degrees C and 800 degrees C for 2 h, its surface area is still 229 m(2).g(-1) and 134 m(2).g(-1), respectively.