Lattice geometry controlled synthesis of Cu – Doped nickel oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

NiO3+δ and Ni1−xCuxO3+δ (x = 5, 10, 20) were synthesized by solid state precipitation method, using precursors, nickel chloride and copper chloride with potassium hydroxide as an alkalizing agent. The present work reports the synthesis of copper doped nickel oxides. The phase formation, crystallinity index, crystal structure and microstructure with composition analysis were investigated with the help of various characterization techniques. The FTIR spectrum reveals that characteristic metal oxygen bands of the Ni–O stretching at 447cm−1 with crystallinity index 0.39. Phase pure, hexagonal NiO3+δ formation was identified from the XRD data. Nanosized particles with size as small as ~ 6 to 15nm for pure sample and ~ 11 to 50nm for the copper doped sample are observed from field emission scanning electron micrographs. Thermo chemical calculations such as enthalpy of reaction 77.44kJmole−1, Gibbs free energy − 639.23kJmole−1and entropy of the reaction 0.0024kJK−1mole−1 have been calculated. Specific surface area of NiO3+δ and Ni1−xCuxO3+δ (x = 5, 10, 20) is obtained by Sauter formula, i.e. ~ 292m2/g, ~ 656m2/g, ~ 557m2/g, and ~ 517m2/g respectively.