Porous magnesia (MgO) with grainy rod-like microstructure was synthesized by hydrothermal process at
180 °C/5 h in the presence of urea. The as-prepared particles crystallized as Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 5H2O which
transformed to MgO phase at 600–700 °C. The BET surface area, total pore volume and average pore
diameter of 600 °C-treated sample were found to be 46 m2 g1, 0.34 cm3 g1 and 30.4 nm, respectively.
Microstructural analysis indicated grainy rod-like microstructure (aspect ratio 10–30) in which the nanograin-
like particles (20–50 nm) were assembled like architectural design.