Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Nanoplates and Their Application in Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide Adsorption

In this research, nanostructured magnesium oxide was synthesized through the sol-gel calcination or hydrothermal calcination method using various surfactants. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the materials confirmed that all the prepared magnesium oxide samples were single phase without any impurity. The scanning electron microscopy images and specific surface area values showed that sodium dodecyl sulfate was the most suitable surfactant for the synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoplates with the diameter of 40–60 nm, the average thickness of 5 nm, and a specific surface area of 126 m2/g. This material was utilized for nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide adsorption under ambient condition. The saturated adsorption capacities of magnesium oxide were 174 mg/g for nitrogen dioxide and 160 mg/g for sulfur dioxide, making the magnesium oxide nanoplates a promising candidate for toxic gas treatment.