Single-crystal-like NiO colloidal nanocrystal-aggregated microspheres with mesoporous structure: Synthesis and enhanced electrochemistry, photocatalysis and water treatment properties

A new microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthetic route based on the self-assembly and subsequently controlled thermal decomposition process is proposed to fabricate nickel oxide colloidal nanocrystal aggregated microspheres (CNAMs) with mesoporous structure. XRD, EDS, SEM, TEM. FTIR, and N2 adsorption and desorption isotherm techniques are employed for morphology and structure characterizations. The as-prepared nickel oxide CNAMs, which has a high surface area (234m2/g) with narrow pore distribution at around 3.25nm, are composed of numerous hexagonal mesoporous nanocrystals of approximately 50–60nm in size, and present a single-crystal-like characteristic. The experimental results also demonstrated that the CNAMs showed outstanding performance in electrochemistry, photocatalysis and waste water treatment due to their special hierarchical and mesoporous structure, presenting the promising candidate for catalysis and catalysis support materials. CNAMs with mesoporous structure synthesized via a simple microwave-assisted hydrothermal method was applied in electrochemistry and catalysis and exhibited enhanced performance. [Display omitted] •CNAMs with mesoporous structure are achieved via a simple microwave-assisted hydrothermal method.•Morphology, structure and pore distribution of sample particles is specifically controlled.•The samples show enhanced properties in electrochemistry and catalysis due to hierarchical structure.