Formation of non-cubic nanoparticles from cubic MgO in intensified self-burning of magnesium

TL;DR

This study investigates how intensified self-burning of magnesium alters MgO nanoparticle morphology, producing non-cubic, spherical, and terraced nanoparticles instead of typical cubic crystals.

Contribution

It reveals that intensified burning conditions change MgO nanoparticle shapes from cubic to spherical and terraced forms, highlighting new growth mechanisms.

Findings

Intensified burning produces non-cubic MgO nanoparticles.

Spherical and terraced nanoparticles form under high-intensity conditions.

Condensation of MgO molecules leads to terraced nanoparticle structures.

Abstract

When Mg metal burns in air the resulting rock-salt MgO smoke consists of perfect [100] cubes of about 100 nm. On contrast, we found that intensification of self-burning of Mg micropowder either by injecting it into oxy-hydrogen diffusion flame or under an infrared laser beam switches the growth mechanism producing mostly single-crystalline spheres and terraced nanoparticles. MgO molecule condensation onto primary spherical nanoparticles can account for generation of terraced nanoparticles with regular steps proportional to the nanoparticle size.