Synthesis of nanostructured magnesium oxide and metallic nickel composites

This research was motivated to produce a catalytic material appropriate to the trireform of methane using magnesium oxide as a substrate to metallic nickel. Solutions of polyvinyl alcohol mixed with aqueous solutions of magnesium and nickel nitrates were homogenized by constant stirring and heated until a semi-solid material was formed. Further heat treatments were used to liberate the nitrogen oxide and to crystallize the nanostructured oxides and form the metallic nickel. To study the kinetics of the reaction, the heat treatment time and temperature were changed between 400 degree e 1000 degree C e 15 a 180 min. The material was analyzed by x ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and surface area by BET. (Mg,Ni)O, NiO and metallic Ni were the formed phases. The results show the possibility of formation of a composite with magnesium oxide matrix with distributed metallic nickel and NiO residue. The MgO crystallite size range from 5.1 to 36 nm. The surface area of the oxide decreased for the higher heat treating temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy showed a larger amount of empty regions.