SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATIONS OF NICKEL OXIDE (NIO) NANOPARTICLES USING THE SOL-GEL METHOD

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were effectively produced using a low-temperature sol–gel technique, utilizing sodium hydroxide in methanol as the precipitating agent and nickel sulfate hexahydrate as the precursor.  The production process included gel formation and subsequent controlled calcination at 450 °C, resulting in fine, black NiO nanoparticles with homogeneous shape.  The structural, chemical, and optical characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles were examined utilizing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopy.  FTIR research verified the existence of distinctive Ni–O stretching vibrations, accompanied by small contributions from hydroxyl groups, indicating partial surface adsorption.  UV–visible spectroscopy demonstrated a clear absorption edge at 328 nm, underscoring the material's semiconducting properties.  These results validate the efficacy of the sol–gel method in synthesizing NiO nanoparticles with adjustable optical and structural characteristics.  Due to these characteristics, the produced NiO nanoparticles exhibit significant potential for various applications in catalysis, optoelectronic devices, and environmental remediation technologies.