Synthesis of mesoporous NiO with crystalline walls by a simple sol–gel route

Mesoporous NiO particles with crystalline walls were prepared by a simple sol-gel technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to investigate the mesoporous NiO particles. The as-prepared mesoporous NiO possessed narrow pore in the range of mesopores and was stable up to 700 oC. Various characterization results showed that the mesostructure was formed through the aggregation of nanocrystals and stearic acid in the precursor played an important role in formation of the final mesoporous structures. Mesoporous Ni particles have also been successfully synthesized by reduction of the obtained mesoporous NiO at 700 oC for 30 min.