γ-Ray irradiation synthesis and characterization of nickel hydroxide nanoparticles

We developed a novel synthetic route to prepare nickel hydroxide with intercalated nitrate anions. It was successfully synthesized using γ-ray irradiation at room temperature under atmospheric conditions without any stabilizer or base molecules. Using γ-ray irradiation led to the formation of layered nickel hydroxyl nitrate compounds and the generation of hydroxyl anions by way of the radiolysis reaction of hydrated nickel nitrate in 2-propanol. Structural and morphological characterizations were done using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The component and thermal stability of the product were, respectively, measured by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermal analyses, including thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA).

► Radiolysis is an effective method for preparation of nanosized α-nickel hydroxide. ► Radiolysis has diverse advantages due to the echo-friendly simplicity of the reaction, the absence of base and heat treatment. ► The present synthetic strategy to synthesis of other metal hydroxides could provide a novel soft route to the creation of nanocrystalline materials.