Self-assembly of porous MgO nanoparticles into coral-like microcrystals

One single-step self-assembly route has been developed for the fabrication of coral-like MgO microcrystals from porous nanoparticles via a calcination route, in which dextran is used as soft template, and Mg(NO3)2 solution acts as the magnesium source throughout the entire process. Experiments show that the amount of dextran, the concentration of Mg(NO3)2 solution and using different Mg sources play an important role in the growth of the products. The coordinative effect in the dextran–Mg(NO3)2 complex was explored by Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis. A possible growth mechanism is also discussed.