Synthesis and characterization of flower-like β-Ni(OH)2 nanoarchitectures

Flower-like Ni(OH)2 nanoarchitectures have been synthesized through a one-step mild hydrothermal reaction with the aid of ethylenediamine in NiCl2 aqueous solution. The flower with the size of several micrometers in diameter is composed of the ultra-thin nanosheets of several nanometers in thickness. It was found the ethylenediamine is vital to the formation of the flower-like nanoarchitectures. The influence of the concentration of the ethylenediamine and the reaction temperature on the formation of the flowers was analyzed and the formation mechanism of the flowers was proposed. Such flower-like β-Ni(OH)2 nanoarchitectures will find potential applications in the fields, such as electrode, or will be used as a starting material to produce NiO, which is widely used in the magnetic, catalysts, sensor and electrochromic devices.