Novel self-assembled MgO nanosheet and its precursors.

A novel self-assembled microstructure, nestlike Mg(5)(CO(3))(4)(OH)(2).4H(2)O spheres, is formed by a self-assembly of nanosheets in the hydrothermal process. MgO with the similar morphology can be obtained by calcination of nestlike Mg(5)(CO(3))(4)(OH)(2).4H(2)O. MgO precursors with a uniform, ellipsoid-shaped, and smooth surface or flowerlike architecture, built by individual thin sheets, can be well-obtained by carefully controlling pH values of the initial reaction solution. The nestlike MgO exhibits a unique geometrical shape; its surface is composed of uniform MgO nanosheets. The unique MgO microstructure with high surface areas may possess promising applications as the sorbent for chemisorption and destructive adsorption of various pollutants.