An Aminolytic Approach toward Hierarchical β-Ni(OH)2 Nanoporous Architectures: A Bimodal Forum for Photocatalytic and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Activity

Abstract

A surfactantless, trouble-free, and gentle wet chemistry approach has been used to interpret the precisely controlled growth of β-Ni(OH)2 with the assistance of ammonia and nickel acetate from seedless mild hydrothermal conditions. A thorough investigation of the reaction kinetics and product morphology with varied concentration of NH3 and different reaction times suggests that a putative mechanism of dissolution, recrystallization, and oriented attachment supports the intelligent self-assembly of nanobuilding blocks. Associated characterizations (FTIR, PXRD, FESEM, EDAX, HRTEM, and Raman) have identified it to be pure β-Ni(OH)2 without any signature of contamination. The assembled units result in porous frameworks (nanoflowers and nanocolumns) and are indeed full of communally intersecting nanopetals/nanoplates with both lengths and widths on the order of micrometer to nanometer length scale. The as-synthesized material could also be used as a precursor for nanometric black NiO under calcination. The hydroxide has been found to be a potent and environmentally benign material because it warrants its photocatalytic activity through dye mineralization. Finally, Ni(OH)2 has been photochemically derivatized with dosages of silver nanoparticles bringing a competent composite authority Ag@Ni(OH)2, to give a full-proof enhanced field effect of prolific SERS activity. In a nutshell, these results are encouraging and fetch new promise for the fabrication of a low-cost and high-yielding greener synthetic protocol for a functional material with promising practicability.