Formation of Ni/NiO Core/Shell Nanostructures and Their Attachment on Carbon Nanotubes

A new approach combining chemical synthesis method with microwave processing for the synthesis of Ni/NiO core/shell nanoparticles is being reported here. A systematic study of the synthetic parameters was done to result in control of the size (6 - 40 nm) and, most importantly, the shape and shell thickness of Ni/NiO core/shell nanoparticles. The morphological evolution of these core/shell nanoparticles was observed as a function of the precursor salt concentration and reaction duration. Microwave oxidation of synthesized Ni nanoparticles resulted in Ni/NiO core/shell nanoparticles and hollow NiO nanoparticles. In order to achieve high surface area loading and minimal aggregation of these nanoparticles, they were chemically functionalized onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes.