Synthesis of nanostructured Nickel compounds on conductive metallicsubstrates

Abstract

Nickel hydroxide, oxide, and sulfide films were synthesized on conductive Ni metallic substrates by solidvapor reactions, calcination and hydrothermal methods. The synthesized films were characterized by XRD, XPS, FE-SEM, UV–Vis Spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). The morphological analyses of Ni(OH)2 and NiO films showed flower-like nanostructures with thicknesses from 20 to 40 nm; meanwhile the NiS films exhibits nano-granular morphology. All films showed high optical reflectance in the visible region and a sharp absorption edge below 400 nm. The specific capacitance of the Nickel compound ranges from 134 to 311 mF cm 2 (at 20 mV s 1) suggesting potential as conductive electrodes for energy storage and electrochemical conversion cells.