Sol-gel Synthesis, Characterization of Nickel Borate Nanorods

Nickel borate (Ni(3)(BO(3))(2)) nanorods were synthesized by the sol-gel method using nickel nitrate and boric acid as reactants, citric acid as the foaming agent. The structure and morphologies of the synthesized samples were investigated by XRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM techniques. The length and diameter of the nanorods were controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of Ni(NO(3))(2)/H(3)BO(3). The diameters of the nanorods were in the range of 200 similar to 300 nm and the lengths were in the range of 2 similar to 3 mu m with n(Ni(NO3)2):n(H3BO3) = 1:3. The role of the citric acid in the growth of nanorods was also discussed, and the results show that the reaction of citric acid and nickel ions will form coordination compound in mesh structure, thus prompting even dispersion of nickel between the grid and providing favorable response space for the formation of nickel borate nanorod.