One-step synthesis of highly dispersed nanosheets of magadiite

By using the combination of PEG 300 (polyethylene glycol with average molecular weight of 300) and sodium salts, highly dispersed nanosheets of magadiite were directly obtained from hydrothermal synthesis. The total concentration of sodium ions(Na+/PEG 300), the crystallization time and the stirring speed are three key parameters that determine the dispersion of magadiite. As the molar ratio of Na+/PEG 300 was increased to 0.96 or above, highly dispersed nanosheets of magadiite were synthesized. By increasing the stirring speed, magadiite becomes more stable and its dispersity is greatly enhanced. Based on these results, a mechanism for the formation of dispersed magadiite has been proposed, in which in situ delamination was assumed.