Synthesis of NiO Nanoparticles: Effect of Method on Structural Properties of NiO Nanoparticles

This work synthesized NiO nanoparticles by chemical precipitation and thermal decomposition methods at different annealing temperatures. The properties of synthesized nanopowders were compared by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR). The X-ray diffraction pattern analysis indicated that samples annealed at 300℃ and 600℃ have face-centered cubic (fcc) with lattice parameter a= 4.17960 Å and hexagonal structures with lattice parameters a=b= 2.95 Å , c=7.23 Å , respectively. Also, by increasing annealing temperature, the crystallinity and size of NiO nanoparticles have increased, and samples synthesized by the chemical precipitation method have a smaller size than other samples. For 600℃ calcination temperature and compared to other methods, XRD pattern of samples synthesized by thermal decomposition method showed higher intensity of peaks which resulted in larger nanoparticles. FT-IR results confirmed the formation of NiO nanoparticle composition. Also, the FT-IR spectrum of samples synthesized with different methods and varying annealing temperatures didn t change significantly. This enhanced chemical understanding is paramount for the rational control of synthesizing NiO and its applications in electronic and electro-optical research.