Nanocomposite materials based on magnesium oxide and metal nanoparticles

The conditions and the patterns of copper and nickel nanoparticles formation by direct reduction from aqueous solutions of their salts in nitrogen atmosphere were studied, and nanocomposite materials based on magnesium oxide and metal nanoparticles coated with protective oxide shell were obtained. The obtained materials are of interest as sorbents for the purification of aqueous media from toxic impurities, as well as catalysts in organic synthesis, in particular for the production of methanol from carbon dioxide. Phase composition, thermal stability, microstructure of nanocomposites, as well as their sorption properties, were studied. The powders of magnesium oxide and nanocomposites based on it were found to have high sorption capacities with respect to lead and chromium ions - up to 2989.0 and 499.9 mg/g, respectively. (authors)