Facile synthesis of mono-dispersive hierarchical nickel-based microspheres as potential catalysts

Mono-dispersive hierarchical NiO and Ni/C microspheres were synthesized through a precursor method. The uniform coordination precursor microspheres were easily obtained by treating nickel acetate in methanol under solvothermal conditions. After the precursor was calcined in the air or nitrogen, two kinds of Ni-based nanostructures, NiO and Ni/C can be obtained, respectively. Both the Ni-based nanostructures are uniform mono-dispersive microspheres as the parent precursor and have hierarchical structures assembled by NiO and Ni nanoparticles. The hierarchical NiO and Ni/C microspheres were verified to have good catalytic activities for the propellant combustion of ammonium perchlorate. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.