Synthesis of basic magnesium carbonate microrods with a “house of cards” surface structure using rod-like particle template

Basic magnesium carbonate (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O) microrods with a surface structure of “house of cards” have been synthesized without any alkaline reagent, using rod-like particles, magnesium carbonate trihydrate, as templates. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The transformation process from rod-like MgCO3·3H2O particles to Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O microrods with a surface structure of “house of cards” was recorded. Preliminary discussions on possible growth mechanisms of Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O microrods are also proposed in this paper.