Synthesis of Ni1−xZnxO hollow structures by a facile method

•Ni1−xZnxO polycrystalline powders with hollow structure were synthesized by a facile sol–gel method.•The grain size value of the obtained hollow Ni1−xZnxO is in the range of 400–500 nm.•The method for synthesis of hollow Ni1−xZnxO quasi-spheres is a simple and effective method.•The present method is very promising for large-scale production.

By a sol–gel method, we obtained Ni1−xZnxO polycrystalline powders. The obtained Ni1−xZnxO was characterized by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope techniques. The characterized results showed that the obtained Ni1−xZnxO showed hollow structure. The grain sizes of the obtained hollow Ni1−xZnxO were quite uniform, typically in the range of 400–500 nm. This method is a simple and effective method for large-scale synthesis of hollow Ni1−xZnxO quasi-spheres. The present method is very promising for large-scale production because the method is only involves commercial Zn(AC)2·2H2O and NiCl2·6H2O powders and the reaction is achieved in an open system free of autoclave and organic chemical reagents. This template-free method is facile but effective and therefore it is very promising for large-scale industrial production.

Graphical abstractNi1−xZnxO with hollow structure were synthesized by a facile sol–gel method. The method for synthesis of hollow Ni1−xZnxO quasi-spheres is a simple and effective method.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide