Formation and structure of single crystalline magnesium borate (Mg3B2O6) nanobelts

Magnesium borate nanobelts have been prepared by heating mixed powders of boron and MgO under flowing Ar/H2O gases at 1100 °C. Typical widths with the nanobelts are in the range of 100–300 nm and lengths are up to tens of micrometers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns show the nanobelts are of orthorhombic Mg3B2O6 structure. Furthermore, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) identifies that the magnesium borate nanobelts are single crystalline in nature. The mechanism for the formation of magnesium borate nanobelts has been primarily presented.