Preparation and characterization of biomorphic nickel oxide microtubes templated from cotton

Biomorphic nickel oxide microtubes with mesoporous structure were successfully prepared from cotton templates. By the infiltration of nickel nitrate solution into cotton, followed by calcination at 673 K in oxygen for 1 h, the product was obtained. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen absorption–desorption. Compared with regular nickel oxide prepared without using cotton, biomorphic nickel oxide exhibited an enhanced antimicrobial activities, ferromagnetic behavior and photocatalytic activities due to the formed special microstructure.