M. A. Shah - Department of Physics, Faculty of science, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah ۲۱۵۸۹, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
F.M. Al-Marzouki - Department of Physics, Faculty of science, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah ۲۱۵۸۹, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)۲ nanorods with diameters of ۹۰±۱۰nm and lengths of more than ۲μms were prepared by a simple route at ~۷۵oC in ambient air. The approach is based on reaction of magnesium powder and de-ionized water without the use of any harmful, toxic or corrosive reagents. Characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows single crystalline structure of Mg(OH)۲ (brucite) whereas Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that nanorods are almost uniform in size. Since only water is used as a solvent as well as a source of oxygen, we believe that this manufacturing process is suitable for mass production of nanostructures safely.

Mg metal, water, Nanorods, growth, FESEM