Enhanced boron adsorption onto synthesized MgO nanosheets by ultrasonic method.

MgO nanosheets with high adsorption performance were fabricated by an ultrasonic method. It was revealed that, nest-like MgO was formed from the magnesium salt solution precipitation and further calcination. Then the nest-like MgO was exfoliated by ultrasonic waves to obtain MgO nanosheets with approximately a lateral of 200-600nm and a thickness of 10nm. Adjusting the ultrasonic time and power, the specific surface areas of MgO nanosheets could be tuned in a range of 79-168m/g. The synthesized MgO nanosheets were used as adsorbents to remove boron from aqueous solution, and the maximum boron adsorption capacity of these MgO nanosheets reached 87mgg. The high uptake capability of the MgO nanosheets makes it potentially adsorbent for the removal of boron from wastewaters.