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Direct Observation of the Growth Process of MgO Nanoflowers by a Simple Chemical Route
Author(s) -
Fang XiaoSheng,
Ye ChangHui,
Zhang LiDe,
Zhang JunXi,
Zhao JianWei,
Yan Peng
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.200400087
Subject(s) - simple (philosophy) , process (computing) , materials science , nanotechnology , process engineering , chemical engineering , biochemical engineering , computer science , engineering , philosophy , epistemology , operating system
Abstract Novel flowerlike nanostructures consisting of MgO nanofibers were successfully synthesized by a simple chemical route with H 2 O at 950 °C in an Ar atmosphere. Various durations of heating gave different growth stages that led to varied product morphologies. The synthesized products were systematically studied by X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. The results show that the nucleation and growth process of the nanoflowers seems to be a vapor–solid mechanism, and that the total heating time during the reaction process is a critical factor for the development of MgO nanoflowers. Initially, Mg particles formed on the Si substrate, followed by the formation of MgO clusters as nucleation centers on the magnesium melt surface and the nucleation of short MgO nanofibers, then growth of the MgO nanofibers occurred, and finally MgO nanoflowers were formed. Besides nanoflowers, novel hierarchical MgO nanostructures were also observed. These nanostructures may be used as three‐dimensional composite materials and as supports for other materials.