Chiang Mai Journal of Science

Magnesium oxysulfate whiskers (5Mg(OH)2·MgSO4·3H2O) with good dispersibility and high aspect ratio were prepared via the moderate hydrothermal method. The raw materials of sodium hydroxide and magnesium sulfate heptahydrate were required in this method without any other additives. The structural and morphology of whisker products were characterized by various instruments of X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray induced photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TG-DTG). The analysis results indicated that magnesium oxysulfate whiskers without any by-products were detected in the final products. The length and diameter of the whiskers was 65.0-160 μm and 0.560-1.30μm, respectively. The as-prepared whisker product was the suitable candidate as an additive for flame retardant and smoke suppression.