Calcination of Be0 from Basic Acetate-Derived Be(OH)2

X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy were used to study the changes in BeO powders produced by the calcination of basic acetate-derived Be(OH)₂. Weight loss, hydroxyl ion content, particle configuration, and crystallite growth were observed as a function of increasing calcination temperature. Low-temperature calcining (<360°C) yielded a Be0 product which showed incomplete weight loss, very small crystallite size, and appreciable water content. Calcining at high temperatures (>375°C) formed Be0 showing the theoretically predictable weight loss and very little water present. The size of the beryllia crystallites increased with increasing calcination temperature, but the size and shape of the particles remained constant. Basal-plane stacking faults were observed in the calcined BeO.