Facile thermal conversion route synthesis, characterization, and optical properties of rod-like micron nickel borate

Micro/nanostructured nickel borate (Ni3(BO3)2) has been widely explored as advanced materials for energy conversion and non linear optical applications, fabricating one-dimensional micro-/nanostructures of Ni3(BO3)2 has thus become increasingly necessary. In this contribution, pure phase of rod-like micron Ni3(BO3)2 particles were synthesized via a facile flux NaCl and surfactant poly(oxyethylene)9 nonylphenol ether (NP-9) assisted thermal conversion route at 750–800 °C for 2.0 h. The introduction of NaCl and NP-9 was favorable for the formation of the Ni3(BO3)2 particles with rod-like morphology and smaller size, respectively. When calcined at 750 °C in the presence of 8.0 mL of NP-9 and with the molar ratio of Ni:B:Na = 3:8:3, high aspect ratio rod-like micron Ni3(BO3)2 particles were obtained. The FT-IR and UV–vis properties of the as-synthesized Ni3(BO3)2 particles were also presented. The as-synthesized Ni3(BO3)2 rod-like particles further enlarged the metal borate family, with corresponding potential applications in the areas of nanocomposites, catalysis, energy conversion and storage, etc.