Microwave-assisted synthesis of highly dispersed carbon supported nickel nanoparticles (Ni/C) with renewable carbon source

摘要

Carbon supported nickel nanoparticles, nickel/carbon (Ni/C) nanocomposite, have niche applications in the area of catalysts, fuel cells, and electrodes. As a catalyst, nickel can be used in many catalysis reactions replacing the more expensive catalysts, palladium and platinum. Coating the nickel nanoparticles with carbon can stabilize the reactive nickel nanoparticles. Herein a new improved method of synthesizing highly dispersed nickel nanoparticles in a carbon matrix by utilizing a rapid heating from microwave irradiation is described. This method is an easy, fast, and economical route in synthesizing carbon coated nickel nanoparticles.