Abstract: Magnesium carbonate which can be classed into magnesium carbonate hydrates and basic magnesium carbonates is an important raw material for preparing series magnesium-salt products.With the development of magnesia materials,the development of functional magnesium carbonates with special morphologies is bound to be an important direction.Phase transfer runs through the magnesium carbonate synthesis process.Magnesium carbonates with different crystal forms and morphologies can be obtained by controlling the phase transfer process.Different reaction conditions and operation modes determine the thermodynamics foundation and the kinetics process of phase transfer.Rod/needle-like nesquehonite can be obtained at lower temperature;basic magnesium carbonate is a assembly of nano-sized sheet-like  crystals and synthesis conditions affect its morphologies.The uses and preparation methods of magnesium carbonate,as well as the phase transfer process during its preparation were described in detail.At last some means of characterization for magnesium carbonate were introduced.

Key words: magnesium carbonate, phase transfer, whisker, basic magnesium carbonate