Synthesis and characterization of nickel oxide nanoparticles and their effect on seed germination of Vigna radiata

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles, using chemical reduction method, have been synthesized by the reaction of nickel chloride hexahydrate (NiCl2.6H2O) salt with triethylamine (Et3N) as a reducing agent at 700C and thermal decomposition of the precursor nickel hydroxide Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles from 3000C to 6000C at an increment of 1000C. The product was characterized by using X-Ray diffraction (sharp picks at 280,380,600), Scanning electron microscopy (average particle ranges between 1-100), UV-Vis spectrophotometer (absorption band at 320-350 nm), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (strong band at 750 cm-1), Energy dispersive X- ray spectroscopy (% weight of NiONPs is 12.73) analysis etc. The synthesized nanoparticles and nickel salt have been investigated for biophysical parameters like germination percentage, radical length (RL), Plumule length (PL) and seedling vigor index (SVI) on Vigna seed germination. The seeds treated with lower concentration show enhancement in germination% and SVI.