Synthesis of nickel submicrocrystals by solvothermal method: Using different types of alkali

The influence of different kinds of alkali in the formation of nickel submicrocrystals synthesized by solvothermal method is addressed. The results show that the types of the alkali are an unimportant role on the crystal structure of nickel, but a fatal factor for the shapes of the nickel submicrocrystals. At the alkaline condition, nickel polyhedra with face-centered cubic structure can be fabricated by solvothermal method in EG solution at 200 °C. HRTEM measurement shows that the Ni polyhedra are bound by (111) facets. Furthermore, room-temperature magnetic measurements indicate that controlled morphologies can affect the magnetic properties of the nickel submicrocrystals.