Solvothermal synthesis of NiS 3D nanostructures

Abstract

Highly uniform urchin-like nanostructures (in the structures, nanoneedles or nanobelts grow radially from the core particles) of NiS (millerite) were successfully prepared by a solvothermal synthetic route using Ni(Ac) 2·GH2O and dithizone as reagents and ethylenediamine as solvent in the temperature range of 220-240 °C. The prepared nickel sulfides with urchin-like 3D architectures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The reaction temperature, sulfur sources, and solvent are of great importance on the final urchin-like structures. On the basis of the experimental results, a possible growth mechanism of the urchin-like NiS crystals is proposed, which is supported by the technical characterizations. © Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2005.