Synthesis and characterization of amorphous magnesium carbonate nanoparticles

Abstract We report the template-free, low-temperature, environment-friendly synthesis of amorphous magnesium carbonate nanoparticles (AMN). Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show that AMN consist of small nanoparticles approximately 20–65 nm in diameter. Drying temperature and centrifugation are shown to affect the nanostructure and functional properties of the material. Aggregated AMN can be produced with a total pore volume up to 1.72 cm 3 /g and can absorb as much as 24 mmol/g water, substantially surpassing the pore volume and moisture-absorbing capacity of all previously described alkali earth metal carbonates. The nanoparticles are foreseen to be useful in applications such as water sorption, drug delivery and catalysis.