Facile and scalable synthesis of uniform MgO/Carbon Black nano-admixture for microstructural and mechanical property improvement of magnesia-carbon refractory bricks

Facile and scalable synthesis method of MgO/Carbon Black nano-admixture as an additive for MgO/C refractory bricks has been developed via simple precipitation method. The main idea of the present work lies on the precipitation of magnesium hydroxide in well dispersed/stabilized carbon black nanoparticle suspension resulting in Mg(OH)2/CB nano-admixture preparation. Furthermore, applying such colloidal suspension of CBs prevent the sever agglomeration of Mg-containing precipitate and make simple precipitation method as a reliable synthesis method of nano-structured MgO. Finally, different analytical methods including X-ray diffractometer, Scanning electron microscopy, Cold crushing strength and physical properties measurement have been utilized to study the effect of such nano-admixture on the microstructural and mechanical properties of typical MgO/C refractory bricks.