Modifiers-assisted formation of nickel nanoparticles and their catalytic application to p-nitrophenol reduction

Nickel nanoparticles with different sizes and morphologies were prepared with nickel chloride as the source of nickel and hydrazine hydrate as a reductant. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), polyethylene glycol-10000 (PEG-10000), gelatin and their composites were used as modifiers in this research. The particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The effect of using single modifiers and their composites was investigated. The results revealed that the kind of modifier used had a significant effect on the morphology and size of the Ni nanostructure. The possible formation mechanism of nickel nanoparticles was also investigated. All of the formed nickel nanoparticles showed excellent catalytic activity in the reduction of p-nitrophenol compared to the commercial RANEY® Ni. The catalytic activity of nickel particles prepared in the presence of composite modifiers was higher than nano nickel catalysts prepared in the presence of single modifiers. The magnetic property, possible catalytic mechanism and the possibility of reusability were also investigated.