Template synthesis of -Ni(OH)2 hollow microspheres through a hydrothermal process

This Letter provides a template method to fabricate SiO2/β-Ni(OH)2 core/shell particles and hollow Ni(OH)2 microspheres through a hydrothermal process without any surface modifier. Hollow Ni(OH)2 microspheres with plicate surface are obtained after a SiO2 template is dissolved in the absence of NaOH. Experiments that differ in synthetic conditions are carried out to help in understanding the forming mechanism. The SiO2/β-Ni(OH)2 core/shell particles and hollow microspheres are characterised through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD and FTIR analyses indicate that the silica core is removed. SEM and TEM images confirm that Ni(OH)2 microspheres are hollow structured.