Sol-gel synthesis of forsterite nanopowders with narrow particle size distribution

Forsterite (FS) nanopowders (∼27 nm) were synthesized using a sol-gel route with magnesium nitrate hexahydrate and tetra ethyl ortho-silicate as magnesium and silicon precursors, respectively. Nitric acid was used as a catalyst. After aging, the FS gel was calcined at 800 oC for 30 min. The calcined powders were characterized for phase composition using X-ray diffractrometry and fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. The particle size and morphology was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The particle size distribution analysis of FS powders showed skewed distribution plot with particle size ranging from 5-90 nm. This study showed that high phase purity and narrowly distributed FS nanoparticles could be obtained using this simple sol-gel technique.