Synthesis of ordered arrays of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles via a simple method

Superfine ordered arrays of magnesium hydroxide (MH) nanoparticles were synthesized via a direct precipitation method at room temperature through aging with cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as crystal modifying agent. The effect of CTAB on the phase and morphology of MH was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) supported that there was no chemical bond formed between CTAB and MH, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the growing habit of the crystals was altered by the capping effect of CTAB on the surfaces of the crystals. The preferential orientation of the arrays of MH nanoparticles was identified and related process mechanism was discussed. Furthermore, from the results of the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), it was confirmed that MH particles with different morphologies enhanced the thermal stability of the low density polyethylene (LDPE)/MH composites.