Abstract: In this paper, a series of solid base MgO were synthesized via an exotemplating pathway with pinewood as the template and magnesium acetate as MgO precursor, and were characterized by XRD, SEM, adsorption of n-hexane or nitrogen, Hammett indicator, ICP, IR and TG-DSC techniques. It was found that these as-prepared MgO materials replicated the biomorph of pinewood, and their frameworks were constructed by plenty of claviform nanoparticles with a similar sectional area, which were different from those of MgO prepared by directly thermal decomposition of MgO precursor. The use of pinewood template was beneficial to the formation of the smaller crystalline size and higher specific surface area. These biomorphic MgO materials exhibit a strong basicity, and can be used as effective basic catalysts or supports.

Key words: Pinewood template, MgO, High specific surface area, Nanomaterials, Solid base