The Synthesis and Use of Nano Nickel Catalysts.

The hydrazine reduction method was applied for the synthesis of nickel nanoparticles without using inert atmosphere and added surface active agents. The effect of the preparation temperature and the chemical quality of the metal sources as well as the solvents were studied. The generation of nanoparticles were studied primarily by X-ray diffractometry, but scanning and transmission electron microscopies as well as dynamic light scattering measurements were also used for the better understanding of the nanoparticles behaviour. The elevation of temperature was the key point in transforming Ni(OH)₂ into metallic nickel. By selecting the metal source, the obtained crystallite sizes could be tailored between 7 nm and 15 nm; however, the SEM and DLS measurements revealed significant agglomeration resulting in aggregates with spherical or Ni(OH)2 resembling morphologies depending on the solvent used. The catalytic activities of the nanoparticles prepared were tested and compared in a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction.