Low-Temperature Liquid-Phase Synthesis and Electrochemical Activity of α-Nickel Hydroxide with Flower-Like Micro-/Nano-Structure

Abstract:

The synthesis of α-nickel hydroxide has been achieved via a facile liquid-phase precipitation approach, using the mixed solvents of ethylene glycol and water as reaction medium at low temperature. The XRD characterization indicates that pure phase α-Ni(OH)₂ can be obtained under variable temperature and pH value. The products present a flower-like micro-/nano-structure assembled with curved nanosheets. The nanosheets have the width of 100~500 nm and the thickness of 20~70 nm. The cavities are formed in the structure due to the interconnection of curved nanosheets. The solvents play a key role in the formation of Ni(OH)₂ with different forms. Pure phase α-Ni(OH)₂ can only be synthesized in the mixed solvents of ethylene glycol and water. Cyclic voltammetry was applied to test the electrochemical activity of the as-synthesized α-Ni(OH)₂. The findings suggest that the α-Ni(OH)₂ with a micro-/nano-structure exhibits excellent electrochemical activity, which may be considered as a promising candidate of electrode material.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 347-353)
• Pages: 3379-3383
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.347-353.3379
• Online since: October 2011
• Authors: Zhi Wei Li, Xu Xiang, Zong Min Tian
• Keywords: Electrochemical Activity, Electrode Materials, Microstructure, Nanostructure, Α-Nickel Hydroxide

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DOI: 10.1149/1.1461378