Influence of preparation conditions of basic magnesium carbonate on its thermal analysis

Thermal analysis (TG, DTG, DTA) of a number of basic magnesium carbonate samples, prepared by precipitation using different magnesium salts (magnesium nitrate, sulphate, chloride, and acetate) and precipitating agents (viz. sodium carbonate and bicarbonate and potassium carbonate and bicarbonate) at different concentrations of magnesium salt (0.005–2.0 M), temperatures (0–100°C) and pH9-11 using different modes of mixing in the precipitation and also by ageing the precipitate for different periods (0.5–96 h) has been carried out in the temperature range 30–600°C. The thermal decomposition and surface area of the resulting MgO are found to be strongly influenced by the preparation conditions of basic magnesium carbonate.