Monodisperse nanoparticles of Ni and NiO: Synthesis, characterization, self-assembled superlattices, and catalytic applications in the suzuki coupling reaction

The synthesis of monodisperse nanoparticles of Ni and NiO with particle sizes of 2 nm, 5 nm, and 7 nm from the thermal decomposition of Ni-alkylamine complexes was discussed. Various types of phosphines were used to control the particle size of the nickel. The colloidal crystals of 5 nm sized nanoparticles were grown using the three-layer technique. Analysis shows that the initially formed nickel nanoparticles have been oxidized to form NiO nanoparticles.