Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties of Pure and Mn doped NiO Nano Particles

Abstract

The influence of Nickel(II) acetate tetrahydrate as a capping agent on the structure, morphology, optical properties, and magnetic properties of nickel oxide (NiO) nanosized particles, which were synthesized using the co-precipitation method, was investigated. Nickel chloride hexahydrate and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were utilized as precursors in the synthesis process. The resulting nanoparticles were thoroughly examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The XRD patterns revealed that NiO possesses a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. The size of the crystallites, as estimated by the Scherrer formula, ranged from 28 to 33 nm. Notably, the NiO nanoparticles exhibited a smaller size compared to the pure nanoparticles. This suggests that the addition of the capping agent, nickel acetate tetrahydrate at a concentration of 0.1M, facilitated the formation of nucleation points for nanoparticle growth. The optical and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis Absorption Spectroscopy (UV), Vibrating Scanning Magnetometer, and magnetization measurements. The FTIR spectra indicated the presence of absorption bands in the range of 400-4000 cm−1, which is a characteristic feature of NiO. The magnetic hysteresis of the NiO nanoparticles demonstrated that the capping agent enhanced the surface magnetization of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy were employed to evaluate the electrochemical performance of the nanoparticles in a 1M NaOH solution. The NiO modified electrode exhibited higher electroactivity and faster electron transport at the electrode surface compared to the bare electrode and Mn/NiO electrodes.