Effect of thermal treatment on the synthesis of NiAl2O4 spinel oxide using chitosan as precursor

Abstract

Nickel aluminate oxide (NiAl2O4) was prepared using chitosan as polymeric precursor and ammonia solution as a precipitating agent. In addition, nickel nitrate and aluminum nitrate salts were used as sources of Ni and Al, under stoichiometric amounts (molar ratio Ni:Al = 1:2). NiAl2O4 particles were prepared at different calcination temperatures and their properties were investigated. The synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The results showed that the thermal treatment process strongly influence on the formation of a single-phase structure of NiAl2O4 spinel. Nickel aluminate spinel with a porous structure and high surface area was obtained at temperatures above 700 oC.