Nanosized nickel oxide particles and modification with poly(methyl methacrylate)

In recent years, there is an increasing interest in the fabrication of inorganic–organic materials considering the remarkable change and improvement in properties. In this investigation, nanosized nickel oxide (NiO) particles were first prepared by calcination of nickel hydroxide precursor obtained by a simple liquid‐phase process. Mixed phases of NiO and nickel hydroxide were present as the calcination temperature was lower than 250°C. Non‐stoichiometric NiO was formed between 250°C and 350°C, and a pure NiO was obtained as the temperature reached 500°C. The surface characteristics of NiO particles were evaluated by measuring the adsorption behavior of anionic and cationic surfactants and some biomolecules. NiO/poly(methyl methacrylate) composite particles were then prepared using variable NiO/methyl methacrylate (MMA) ratio by seeded emulsion polymerization. The efficiency of NiO incorporation in the composite increased as the MMA content was increased in the recipe. The composite particles were colloidally stable, and the obtained particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectra. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.