Synthesis of NiO Nanostructures by Sonocatalyzed Microwave Irradiation Technique and Their Acetone Sensing Properties

Abstract

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanostructures were synthesized by sonocatalyzed microwave irradiation technique, followed by calcination process. Electron microscopic images of NiO powder calcined at 500 °C revealed coexistence of nanorods and spherical nanoparticles. The NiO powders calcined at 600 and 700 °C composed of spherical nanoparticles, where a larger particle size was observed for the powder calcined at 700 °C. The acetone sensor response of the fabricated NiO sensors revealed that shape and size of the NiO particles affected the response. The response increased with increasing acetone gas concentration, which reached a maximum value at the operating temperature of 325 °C.