Facile preparation and application of magnesium hydroxide assembly spheres.

Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)) assembly spheres were successfully synthesized by use of a facile bio-template method, with Mg(NO) and NaOH solution as reactants. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The Mg(OH) nanomaterial obtained was assembled from nanoflakes and was approximately 2 μm in total size. Eggshell membrane was crucially important in the process of formation of the assembly spheres. The process and mechanism of assembly of the spheres are discussed. When the Mg(OH) assembly spheres were used to treat waste water containing heavy metals approximately 100 % of copper ions were removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]