Recent development in the environmental application of nano-sized MgO

Nano-sized MgO processes good thermal stability, nontoxicity, environmental friendliness and simple synthesis. It is more versatile to be used as an antimicrobial agent, fire retardant, pollute adsorbent, active catalyst and catalyst support. These support its wide applications, particularly in environmental protection and restoration. While few real practical applications have been reported yet. To promote the practical application of nano-sized MgO in environmental science, this review systematically summarizes the structure–function relationship, property-derived applications, synthesis methods, and related growth mechanisms of nano-sized MgO with different sizes and morphologies. The advantages and disadvantages of different synthesis approaches were compared to promote the practical applications of nano-sized MgO. Micro-sized flower-like MgO with hierarchical micro-nanostructure was also reviewed due to its high activity of nanomaterials, multi-functionality and easy recovery of micro-materials. Composites of nano MgO-based materials were also reviewed focusing on their composition and application. In the last section of this review, the challenges and development directions of the practical application of nano-sized MgO are proposed. (author)