A composition including a hydrate form of magnesium oxide, denoted as MgO·(H 2 O)n, at a concentration ranging from 1 to 100 weight percent (wt%), where n is any value from 0.1 to 2. The composition may further include MgO at a concentration ranging from 0 to 99 wt% or Mg(OH) 2 , at a concentration ranging from 0 to 99 wt% or Mg(OH) 2 at a concentration ranging from 0 to 99 wt%, and MgO, at a concentration ranging from 0 to 99 wt%.