Size-controlled monodispersed nickel nanocrystals using 2-octanol as reducing agent

Size-controlled nickel nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized using 2-octanol as the reducing agent. The elucidation of the reduction mechanism of nickel ions by 2-octanol was monitored by using UV-vis spectrometry, FT-IR spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy and the formation of intermediate layered hydroxides that subsequently undergoes reduction to metallic nickel was identified. Although, the nickel particles obtained in the 2-octanol–Ni acetate system were irregularly shaped with size in the sub-micrometer range, the addition of surfactants, hydroxyl ions and metal seed particles to the alcoholic system facilitated the synthesis of nanocrystals with controlled size and size distribution. The optimization of the synthesis conditions based on the above analytical data led to the preparation of a toluene-based suspension dispersing Ni nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 16 nm.