Magnesium Oxide Formula

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium oxide, often known as ‘Magnesia,’ is an ionic compound generated by the transfer of electrons between the metal (Magnesium) and the non-metal (Oxygen). 

Magnesium oxide has the chemical formula MgO. It exists as a white hygroscopic solid found in nature as ‘periclase,’ a magnesium mineral found in metamorphic rocks as the “oxide of Magnesium.” 

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is found in abundance on Earth in the form of Dolomite, silicate, and magnesite rocks. Magnesium oxide is also found in saltwater, and it is mostly generated by calcining magnesite or magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃)

Production of Magnesium Oxide

1. By Calcination of Magnesite 

Magnesite or magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) is calcined to form magnesium oxide, which is the most frequent process. Magnesite is calcined in a variable-temperature kiln, where it decomposes into magnesium oxide and carbon dioxide gas is emitted.

MgCO₃ → MgO + CO₂

2. By Calcination of Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide is calcined by heating a filter cake comprising 50–72 solid magnesium hydroxide solids to around 350°C.

Mg(OH)₂ →MgO + H₂O

3. From Dolomite 

Magnesium oxide is extracted from Dolomite powder using sulphuric acid to convert the lime to insoluble CaSO₄ and the magnesia or Magnesium oxide to soluble MgSO₄. 

The product was separated by filtration, and MgSO₄ was transformed to MgCO₃ or Mg (OH)₂ and subsequently calcined to MgO using the same technique. Dolomite [CaMg (CO₃)₂] is an anhydrous carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate

Magnesium Oxide’s Applications

Magnesium oxide can be used as an antacid to treat indigestion, heartburn, and sour stomach since it is a great basic oxide. Magnesium oxide is also given to patients before surgery as a laxative. Magnesium oxide is also used in crackers because it causes magnesium to burn with a bright white flame in the air when it is produced. 

As a result, magnesium oxides have a variety of applications in industry, medicine, and everyday life. The following are a few of them:

• Due to their capacity to tolerate extremely high temperatures, refractory materials are one of the world’s top consumers of magnesium oxide. For high-temperature applications, refractory materials are commonly employed as furnace linings. Magnesium oxide is a common material for crucibles.
• Magnesium oxide nanoparticles are utilized in the manufacture of silicon steel sheets, high-quality ceramic materials, electronic industry materials, adhesives, and chemical raw materials as a high-temperature dehydrating material.
• Magnesium is required for the regular function of muscles, neurons, and cells in our bodies. Magnesium oxide is thus used as a magnesium supplement to help treat low Mg levels in the body.
• Magnesium oxide acts as an acid buffer and helps to keep dissolved heavy metals in check. It is widely utilized in soil and groundwater remediation, wastewater treatment, drinking water treatment, and air pollution treatment because of these qualities.
• Magnesium oxide is also utilized in pyrotechnics or crackers because the creation of MgO causes magnesium to burn with a very bright white flame in the air, which adds brilliance to the explosions.
• It is utilized in the construction of walls as a fire-resistant material.