Catalyst free growth of MgO nanoribbons

Here, we report for the first time ever the catalyst free growth of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoribbons on soda lime silica glass substrates by a green and inexpensive chemical route. The MgO nanoribbons were grown when the precursor magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) thin films were converted to MgO after 2 h of heat treatment in air at 450 °C. The MgO thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the related energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) techniques. Finally, a plausible mechanism is suggested for growth of the MgO nanoribbons.