Chemical transformation and morphology change of nickel-silica hybrid nanostructures via nickel phyllosilicates

Ni@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles were transformed to Ni particles on silica spheres via a branched nickel phyllosilicate phase by hydrothermal and hydrogen reduction reactions; the final morphology was successfully employed as an active nanocatalyst for the hydrogen transfer reaction of acetophenone.