Journal of Alloys and Compounds 479 (2009) 855–858
Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Characterization of NiO nanoparticles by anodic arc plasma method
Zhiqiang Weia,b,∗, Hongxia Qiaoc, Hua Yanga, Cairong Zhanga, Xiaoyan Yana
a School of Science, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, China
b State Key Laboratory of Advanced New Non-ferrous Materials, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
c School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, China
a r t i c l e i n f o
a b s t r a c t
Article history:
NiO nanoparticles with average particle size of 25 nm were successfully prepared by anodic arc plasma
method. The composition, morphology, crystal microstructure, specific surface area, infrared spectra, par-
ticle size distribution of product were analyzed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) and the corresponding selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), Fourier transform
infrared spectrum (FTIR) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) N2 adsorption. The experiment results
shown that the NiO nanoparticles are bcc structure with spherical shape and well dispersed, the par-
ticle size distribution ranging from 15 nm to 45 nm with the average particle size is about 25 nm, and
the specific surface area is 33 m2/g.The infrared absorption band of NiO nanoparticles show blue-shifts
compared with that of bulk NiO.
Received 17 December 2008
Received in revised form 7 January 2009
Accepted 16 January 2009
Available online 31 January 2009
Keywords:
NiO nanoparticles
Anodic arc discharge
Particle size
© 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Infrared absorption spectrum
1. Introduction
practical viewpoint, it is vital to develop a way to manufacture
Nanoparticles exhibit novel properties that significantly dif-
fer from those of corresponding bulk solid state owing to the
different effects in terms of small size effect, surface effect, quan-
tum size effect and macroscopic quantum tunnel effect [1,2]. In
has attracted extensive interests due to its novel optical, electronic,
magnetic, thermal and mechanical properties and potential appli-
cation in catalyst, battery electrodes, gas sensors, electrochemical
films, photo-electronic devices, and so on [3–9]. In these applica-
tions, it is still needed for synthesizing high-quality and ultra-fine
powders with required characteristics in terms of their size, mor-
phology, microstructure, composition purity, crystallizability, etc.
which are the most essential factors which eventually determine
the microstructure and performance of the final products. There-
fore, it is very important to control the powder properties during
the preparation process.
There are many different methods reported for the synthesis
of NiO nanoparticles, such as ultrasonic radiation, hydrothermal
synthesis, carbonyl method, laser chemical method, pyrolysis by
microwave, sol–gel method, precipitation–calcination, microemul-
sion method, and so forth [10–16]. However, to the best of our
knowledge, most of the reported experimental techniques for the
synthesis of nanopowders are still limited in laboratory scale due
to some unresolved problems, such as special conditions, tedious
high-quality nanopowders at high throughput with low cost.
Anodic plasma method is an effective feasible process to pre-
pare monodisperse metal nanopowders [17]. Compared with the
conventional methods, anodic arc plasma method has many advan-
tages: metal nanopowders prepared by this process with ultra-fine
particle size, higher purity, and narrow size distribution, well-
dispersed and spherical shape. Furthermore, the physical and
chemical properties of the nanopowders can be easily controlled by
varying the processing parameters and no need expensive agents
or special equipment. In addition, it is a convenient, inexpensive
process, has high productive capacity and the potential for further
mass production in the industry.
In this paper, NiO nanoparticles were successfully prepared by
anodic arc plasma technique. In addition, the composition, mor-
phology, microstructure, specific surface area, infrared spectra,
the particle size and distribution of product by this process were
characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) and the corresponding selected-area electron
diffraction (SAED), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR)
and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) N2 adsorption. The knowl-
edge obtained would enhance a better understanding to the
microstructure of NiO nanoparticles, and finally assist in the fur-
ther development of novel properties and also benefit the practical
industrial application in the future.
2. Experimental
∗
Corresponding author. Fax: +86 931 2976040.
The detailed experimental apparatus was fully illustrated elsewhere [17], it
mainly include the stainless steel vacuum chamber, the gas supply device, the DC
0925-8388/$ – see front matter © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.