Nanocrystalline magnesium oxide (MgO) particles were prepared through liquid phase precursor (LPP) method using magnesium nitrate as starting material and starch as an impregnatig matrix. The materials obtained by LPP method were subsequently annealed at 500-1,100 oC for 1-3 hrs to improve crystallinity and phase purity. Crystallization and the growth of particles were accelerated with increasing calcining temperature. Crystallization of MgO started around 500 oC, which the temperature is pyrolysis of starch, cubic phase generated at 600 oC. Moreover, above 600 oC, calcining time had influence on crystal growth. The obtained MgO nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray analysis (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The PL emission spectrum of MgO nanoparticles exhibits two emission peaks at 560 and 618 nm which are due to various structural defects. The cubic crystal structure with crystalline size of 30-150 nm, is obtained at the calcination temperature of 500-900 oC.

Keywords: MgO, Nanoparticles, Starch, Impregnation