Synthesis and size control of monodisperse magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles by microemulsion method

Uniform and highly dispersed magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles were synthesized in cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide/cyclohexane/isopropanol/water microemulsion. The effect of different experimental conditions on particle size was investigated and the control mechanism was discussed. The results indicated that the R value (R= [water]/[surfactant]) and the dosage of isopropanol could control the particle size by varying the “water droplet” size in microemulsion; the Mg2+ concentration and the mole ratio of Mg2+ to OH− could fine tune the particle size by varying the solution supersaturation in water droplet. The dosage of isopropanol had the greatest influence on particle size and could control the particle size in the range of 53.66 to 110.06 nm. Our evidences demonstrate that the magnesium hydroxide particle size can be precisely controlled and could realize better application value.