Solvothermal Synthesis of Nickel Glycolate Polymer and NiO Microtubes and Their Cr(VI) Absorbing Properties

Abstract

In this work, nickel glycolate polymer microtubes (NGPMs) were prepared via a facile solvothermal method using hydrous nickel nitrate and anhydrous sodium acetate as starting materials, and ethylene glycol as solvent. Furthermore, nickel oxide (NiO) microtubes were obtained by a high-temperature treatment of NGPMs in air atmosphere. The morphology and phase of the products were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The results show that NGPMs are of hierarchical structure, which are composed of a lot of nanolamellas. The morphology of NiO microtubes directly derived from that of NGPMs. In addition, the experiments were conducted with atomic absorption spectrometer for adsorption of Cr2O72- in ultrapure water using these microtubes obtained as absorbers. The results reveal that NGPMs obviously possess a better ability of chromium absorption with a maximum absorbing value of 14.6 mg/g at pH of 4 than NiO microtubes. Thus, the as-prepared of NGPMs may be promising as a new type of absorber for heavy metal ion for water treatment.