The role of dehydration-hydration in the formation of nanoparticles with a chrysotile structure during hydrothermal treatment of Mg_1−xNi_x(OH)₂–SiO₂–H₂O(NaOH)systems

A thermodynamic analysis of hydroxide transformations in the Mg_1−xNi_x(OH)₂ – SiO₂ – H₂O system during the hydrothermal synthesis of nanotubular particles with a chrysotile structure has revealed the decisive role of the dehydration of initial reagents and the subsequent re-formation of hydroxides during hydrothermal treatment of reagents on the composition and morphological parameters of the target product. Depending on the composition of the hydroxide reagent and the T–P conditions in the reaction zone, three regions have been identified where the formation mechanism of nanotubular particles with a chrysotile structure changes dramatically. This is the direct cause of the non-monotonic dependence of the Mg/Ni ratio and the dimensional parameters of the (Mg_1−xNi_x)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ nanotubes on the Mg/Ni ratio in the initial hydroxide.

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