Nickel doped zinc oxide nanoparticles produced by hydrothermal decomposition of nickel-doped zinc hydroxide nitrate

► Zinc hydroxide nitrates (ZHNs), undoped and doped with 2-10% nickel, were synthesized by precipitation method. ► The layered ZHNs were then used to produce nanostructured, undoped and nickel-doped zinc oxides (ZOs) by hydrothermal-treatment. ► Structural investigation of ZOs showed a decrease in lattice parameters with increasing the content of the doping agent, nickel. ► Optical studies of ZOs showed a decrease in band gap with increasing content of the doping agent, nickel.