Simple template-free solution route for the synthesis ofNi(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 nanobelts and their thermal degradation

Abstract

Nanobelts of nickel hydroxyl sulfate have been prepared on a large scale viaa simple template-free hydrothermal reaction on the basis of a complex[Ni(NH3)6]2+ formedwith Ni2+ and ammonia in an ethanol–water solution. The as-synthesized nanobelts were singlecrystals, with several tens of microns in length and 50–150 nm in width. The nanobelts wereenclosed by top surfaces (100) and side surfaces (001) and their growth direction wasparallel to [010]. The function of aqueous ammonia and ethanol was discussed.Furthermore, nanostructures of a mixture of crystralline NiO and amorphousnickel sulfate with various morphologies, such as nanobelts, porous nanobelts,and nanoparticles, were obtained by the thermal treatment of the as-synthesizedNi(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 nanobelts at different temperatures.