Synthesis of spherical NiO nanoparticles using a solvothermal treatment with acetone solvent

Nanometer-sized nickel oxide (NiO) particles were synthesized by thermal reactions with nickel (II) carbonate as a metal-containing precursor and four solvents: water, ethanol, butanol, and acetone. The optimal reaction conditions to obtain spherical NiO were determined to be the acetone solvent, nickel carbonate precursor, and a reaction temperature and time of 200 °C and 48 h, respectively. TEM images revealed perfectly spherical NiO nanoparticles of size ranging from 2.0 to 10.0 nm in the acetone solvent. The reaction mechanism for the formation of the NiO nanoparticles is proposed based on a pathway of chelated Ni complex during crystal growth. Although metallic Ni was also formed from reactions using the two alcoholic solvents, the Ni(OH)2 structure remained in the water solvent after thermal treatment.