Studies on Photocatalytic Performance of MgO Nanoparticles Prepared by Wet Chemical Method

• Published in: Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals Vol. 65; no. 1; pp. 49 - 55
• Main Authors: Mageshwari, K., Sathyamoorthy, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Springer-Verlag 01.02.2012
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Corrosion and Coatings; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Original Paper; Tribology; Nanoparticles; X-ray diffraction; Photocatalytic activity; Calcinations; MgO
• ISSN: 0972-2815; 0975-1645
• DOI: 10.1007/s12666-011-0106-5

In the present article, we explore a cost-effective and an environmentally benign route to prepare magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles through thermal decomposition of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2 ) nanoparticles. Mg(OH) 2 nanoparticles were prepared using different solvents namely ethylenediamine (EDA) and triethanolamine (TEA) by wet chemical method, and subsequently the as-synthesized Mg(OH) 2 nanoparticles were calcinated at 400°C for 2 h in air to obtain MgO nanoparticles. XRD pattern revealed that as-synthesized Mg(OH) 2 nanoparticles are polycrystalline in nature with hexagonal structure, and after annealing it transforms to MgO nanoparticles with cubic structure. FTIR spectrum of as-synthesized Mg(OH) 2 nanoparticles indicated the OH − antisymmetric stretching vibration of the Mg(OH) 2 and after annealing the sharp peak at 3686 cm −1 disappears, which confirms the complete transformation of hexagonal Mg(OH) 2 to cubic MgO. SEM analysis showed the formation of interfused Mg(OH) 2 nanoflakes and coral-like hierarchical MgO nanostructure made up of stacked nanoflakes. Optical band gap energy of Mg(OH) 2 and MgO nanoparticles prepared using different solvent were estimated using UV–Vis DRS. Degradation of methyl orange was performed to investigate the photocatalytic activity of coral-like hierarchical MgO nanostructure. Results demonstrate that coral-like hierarchical MgO nanostructure possessing large surface area and porous morphology exhibited good photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange.