Synthesis of NiO nanomaterials with various morphologies and their electrocatalytic performances for p-nitrophenol reduction

Abstract

In the work, several facile and easily controlled procedures were designed to successfully synthesize a few NiO samples with various morphologies, including nanosheets, nanobelts, nanoparticles and empty microspheres, via a hydrothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffractometer, TEM and field emission scanning electron microscopy technologies. The results revealed that the as-synthesized NiO samples displayed expected nanosheets, nanobelts, nanoparticles and empty microspheres in shape. The electrocatalytic performance of each NiO sample modified on a glassy carbon electrode for p-nitrophenol reduction in a basic solution using cyclic voltammetry method was investigated. The results indicated that the glassy carbon electrode modified with each NiO sample showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity by comparing a bare glassy carbon electrode, and especially NiO nanopatricles and empty microsphere exhibited the higher electrocatalytic activty for p-nitrophenol reduction.