Abstract: Interconnected nanometer thick platelets of magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH) 2) were prepared on a sintered porous magnesium substrate by a hydrothermal method.Morphology and phase evolutions of the substrates during the reaction are investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).The results show that different denseness levels of interconnected magnesium hydroxide platelets with thicknesses of ～ 100 nm can be obtained by controlling the reaction time of the hydrothermal process within 20-40 min.Interconnected magnesium hydroxide platelets will grow and merge gradually into bulk crystal from the surface of the substrate.The nucleation and crystal growth mechanism of Mg(OH)2 during the hydrothermal reaction were discussed as well.

Key words: Interconnected nanometer thick platelets of magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH) 2) were prepared on a sintered porous magnesium substrate by a hydrothermal method.Morphology and phase evolutions of the substrates during the reaction are investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).The results show that different denseness levels of interconnected magnesium hydroxide platelets with thicknesses of ～ 100 nm can be obtained by controlling the reaction time of the hydrothermal process within 20-40 min.Interconnected magnesium hydroxide platelets will grow and merge gradually into bulk crystal from the surface of the substrate.The nucleation and crystal growth mechanism of Mg(OH)2 during the hydrothermal reaction were discussed as well.