Title: One step low temperature synthesis of poly vinyl alcohol stabilised α-Ni (OH)₂ nanoparticles - structural, morphological and optical studies

Authors: Annie Aureen Albert; D.G. Harris Samuel; V. Parthasarathy; J. Selvi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (Deemed to be University), Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 103, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (Deemed to be University), Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 103, India ' Department of Physics, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (Deemed to be University), Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 103, India ' Department of Physics, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (Deemed to be University), Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 103, India

Abstract: This research work reports a facile procedure for preparing α-nickel hydroxide nanoparticles. Synthesis of α-Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles was performed at low temperature using poly vinyl alcohol (PVOH) as a stabilising agent. The structure of the nanoparticles was studied using X-ray diffractograms (JCPDS card 22-0444) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The peaks corresponding to 459 cm⁻¹ and 409 cm⁻¹ in FTIR revealed the actual structure of α-Ni(OH)₂. The size of the α-Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles was computed using Scherrer's formula. The estimated size was 4 nm. The HRTEM micrograph of nano-sized α-Ni(OH)₂ revealed the formation of nanobristles with diameter of 2 nm. The nanobristles formed a 2D layer due to intercalation of PVOH with nickel hydroxide. The UV absorption spectrum further confirmed the nano size of α-Ni(OH)₂. Optical band gap values (E_g) of Ni (OH)₂ were determined for various precursor concentrations. The minimum value of band gap for α-Ni(OH)₂ nano particles was found to be 2.12 eV for 3.5 g of metal ion precursor.

Keywords: α-Ni(OH)₂; PVOH; one step synthesis; intercalation; HRTEM; band gap decrease; quantum effect deviation.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2021.114674

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2021 Vol.17 No.2/3, pp.144 - 152

Received: 20 Jul 2019
Accepted: 17 Feb 2020
Published online: 30 Apr 2021 *

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