Synthesis and characterization of NiO nanoclusters via thermal decomposition

Thermal decomposition process has been developed to synthesize nickel oxide (NiO) nanoclusters Via the reaction between a new precursor, nickel oxalate [Ni(O4C2)(H2O)(4)] and oleylamine (C18H37N). The combination of triphenylphosphine (C18H15P) and C18H37N were added as surfactants to control the particle size. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The synthesized NiO nanoclusters have a cubic structure with average size 2-10 nm. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.