Influence of KOH on the hydrothermal modification of Mg(OH)2 crystals

Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) particles were synthesized and modified via a reaction-hydrothermal process using Ca(OH)2 and MgCl2 as precursors. The influence of KOH mineralizer on the hydrothermal modification of Mg(OH)2 was investigated. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and specific surface area analyses indicated that KOH played a key role in the recrystallization of Mg(OH)2. It was found that the morphology and dispersion of Mg(OH)2 particles improved significantly with an increase of KOH concentration from 1 to 4 mol/l.