Synthesis and characterizations of nano-sized Ni(OH)2 and Ni(OH)2/poly(vinyl alcohol) nano composite

Nano-sized Ni(OH) 2 was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. Peaks between 500 and 750 cm −1 in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of metal hydroxide stretching. Thermo gravimetric analysis inferred that 69 wt% residue remained above 750 °C. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of Ni(OH) 2 revealed its size ranged from 80 to 110 nm with smooth morphology. Scanning electron microscopy inferred that pure Ni(OH) 2 has nano rod-like morphology and higher weight percentage of aniline-intercalated Ni(OH) 2 has agglomerated structure. UV–Vis spectrum detected the presence of Ni 2+ ions at 210 nm and the existence of amino group in the basal spacing of Ni(OH) 2 was not clearly appeared in the spectrum. Photoluminescence (PL) inferred that aniline-intercalated Ni(OH) 2 showed higher PL intensity than the pristine poly(vinyl alcohol) its and nano composite.