Solvothermal synthesis of NiS 3D nanostructure's

Highly uniform urchin-like nanostructures (in the structures, nanoneedles or nanobelts grow radially from the core particles) of NiS (millerite) were successfully prepared by a solvothermal synthetic route using Ni(Ac)(2)(.)6H(2)O and dithizone as reagents and ethylenediamine as solvent in the temperature range of 220-240 degreesC. The prepared nickel sulfides with urchin-like 3D architectures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The reaction temperature, sulfur sources, and solvent are of great importance on the final urchin-like structures. On the basis of the experimental results, a possible growth mechanism of the urchin-like NiS crystals is proposed, which is supported by the technical characterizations. (C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005.