(662c) Mg(OH)2 Nano-Whiskers Formation On Submicron LTA Surfaces by Hydrolysis of Mg-Alkoxide Assisted by Sonication

Previous research has shown Mg(OH)2 nano-whikers, which was formed on zeolite particle surfaces by a Grignard treatment method, can assist the interfacial adhesion between the zeolite and glassy polymers. In this report, the mechanism of Mg(OH)2 formation during the Grignard treatment was explored. Mg-alkoxide was first formed through a Grignard reaction between methylmagnesium-bromide and isopropanol, and then hydrolyzed in water, assisted by sonication to form Mg(OH)2 whiskers. Depending the sonication power, which affects the Mg-alkoxide hydrolysis rate, the Mg(OH)2 morphology changed significantly. Oversupply of sonication power can cause too fast hydrolysis reaction, therefore causes an undesired homogeneous deposition of Mg(OH)2. By dosing the sonication at 55W in 30 seconds period for 3 times with an interval of 2 min., a desired Mg(OH)2 nano-whiskers morphology was achieved on both 2 µm and 300 nm LTA particle surfaces.