A facile synthesis of grainy rod-like porous MgO

• Grainy rod-like porous MgO was synthesized via template-free method.
• The BET surface area was found to be 46 m2 g−1.
• Nanograin-like particles (20–50 nm) were assembled like architectural design.
• Urea has a significant role in the formation of grainy rod with porous structure.

Porous magnesia (MgO) with grainy rod-like microstructure was synthesized by hydrothermal process at 180 °C/5 h in the presence of urea. The as-prepared particles crystallized as Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·5H2O which transformed to MgO phase at 600–700 °C. The BET surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter of 600 °C-treated sample were found to be 46 m2 g−1, 0.34 cm3 g−1 and 30.4 nm, respectively. Microstructural analysis indicated grainy rod-like microstructure (aspect ratio 10–30) in which the nanograin-like particles (20–50 nm) were assembled like architectural design.

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