Low temperature synthesis of magnesium oxide and spinel powders by a sol-gel process

Magnesium oxide and magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4) spinel (MAS) powders have been synthesized by a simple aqueous sol-gel process using citrate polymeric precursors derived from magnesium chloride, aluminium nitrate and citrate. The thermal decomposition of the precursors and subsequent formation of cubic MgO and MAS were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetrydifferential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The single phase cubic MgO powder and MAS powder form after heat treatment at 800 and 1200 °C, respectively. The particle size of the MgO and MAS powders is about 100 nm and several micrometers, respectively. Ball milling eliminates the size of MgO and MgAl2O4 spinel powders by decreasing the conglomeration of the powders.