| Abstract: | Thermal decomposition has been employed to access spherical nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles from a new precursor, nickel-salicylate, [Ni(C7H5O3)2(H2O)4]. Surfactants, triphenylphosphine ((C6H5)3P), and oleylamine (C18H35NH2) were added to control the particle size. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. TEM images showed particles nearly spherical having sizes 5–15?nm. The magnetism of NiO nanoparticles was studied with a vibrating sample magnetometer. Due to smaller particle size and increased surface uncompensated spins, a superparamagnetic behavior is observed. The synthetic process is simple and affords high-purity material at a relatively lower calcination temperature. |
