Uniform MgO nanobelts formed from in situ Mg3N2 precursor

MgO nanobelts with a pure morphology and high yield were generated by the direct evaporation of Mg metals under initial N2 gas at 650 °C and subsequent N2/O2 atmosphere at 800 °C. The growth of these MgO nanobelts is explained in a VS route in which the in situ formed Mg3N2 slowly decomposes and reacts with oxygen. Mg3N2 is therefore a very effective precursor for the fabrication of high-purity one-dimensional (1D) MgO nanostructures.