Synthesis and Characterization of Ni/NiO Core-Shell Nanoparticles Prepared by Surfactant-Mediated Method

In this study, the Ni/NiO core shell nanoparticles were prepared by surfactant-mediated method. The synthesis was accomplished by using triblock copolymer as the surfactant, and Ni(NO3)(2) center dot 6H(2)O as the inorganic precursor. TGA, XRD, SEM, TEM and N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms were used to characterize the microstructure and specific surface area of the samples. The effect of the calcination temperature and the additive of Cu2O on the microstructure of Ni/NiO core-shell nanoparticles are also investigated in this study. TGA and FTIR analyses demonstrated that copolymers were expelled at 300 degrees C. The sample calcined at 350 degrees C was composed of only metallic Ni nanoparticles shown by XRD. As the calcining temperature was increased, metallic Ni coated with NiO formed. The formation of Ni/NiO core-shell nanoparticles was clearly confirmed by XRD and TEM analyses. The specific surface area evaluated from the N-2 adsorption-desorption indicated that the samples consisted of non-porous Ni/NiO nanoparticles. Increasing the additive of Cu2O resulted in a decrease in the crystallinity of Ni formation. The present investigations prove the surfactant-mediated method is valuable for the preparation of Ni/NiO core-shell nanoparticles.