Multiple applications of combustion derived nickel oxide nanoparticles

In this study, NiO nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared via solution combustion method using nickel nitrate as an oxidizer, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as fuel at 450 °C. The obtained product was characterized by various tools. Powder X-ray diffraction revealed the Bunsenite form of simple cubic system with average crystallite size of about 28 nm. UV–Visible spectroscopy showed blue shift compare to that of the bulk NiO. Photoluminescence study shows strong emission band at 338 nm (3.54 eV) in the UV region. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the nanoparticles are agglomerated. Transmission electron microscopy showed the average particles size of about 40 nm. It was found that, the prepared NiO showed very good photocatalytic degradation activity against organic dye, trypan blue and it also showed antibacterial property against bacterial strain; along with these applications, it has also proved that, it is a good anode material for Lithium ion battery by manifesting first discharge at 1167 mAh g−1 and continued for 100 cycles with good retention. Furthermore, the electro-analytical applicability of the as synthesized NiO NPs will be addressed by the fabrication of thin film electrified interface as a sensing platform towards the sensing of a neurotransmitter dopamine as a model system at tracer concentration levels with a detection limit of 0.1 µM.