Preparation and characterization of nanosized nickel oxide

Abstract

Nanosized nickel oxide was synthesized by a simple liquid-phase process to obtain the hydroxide precursor and then calcined to form the oxide. The precursor and the nickel oxide were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermal analysis (TG) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). The results indicated that the particle size of nickel oxide was controlled by the calcined temperature (TC). Mixed phases of nickel oxide and nickel hydroxide were present as the TC was lower than 300 °C. Non-stoichiometric nickel oxide (NiO x , x = 1.2) was formed between 250 °C and 400 °C and a pure nickel oxide was formed as the TC arrived 500 °C. The particle size of nickel oxide changed as the calcined temperature was controlled under 250 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C and 500 °C, the order was 5.6 nm, 6.5 nm, 11 nm and 17 nm, respectively.