The synthesis of nickel nanoparticles by hydrazine reduction

A pure metallic nickel nanoparticle, spherical in shape, has been successfully synthesized by the chemical reduction of nickel chloride with hydrazine at room temperature without any protective agent and inert gas protection. The effect of nickel salt concentration and the molar ratio of hydrazine to Ni2+ on the properties of the resultant products were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, the reaction mechanism is discussed in this paper. This synthetic method is proven to be simple and very facile. In addition, it is very interesting to note that the obtained nickel nanoparticle can be isolated in the solid state and stabilized for several months in the atmosphere. (C) 2009 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.