Hello everyone,

I have been trying to synthesize Ni Nanoparticles. I tried NaBH4 as reducing agent as well as Hydrazine. I use PVP as capping agent. I already tried different concentrations and different MWs of PVP. I also tried different concentrations of the Nickel precursor. As solvent I tried water as well as Diethylenglycol. The problem is that the particles always agglomerate and form "clouds" (see attachment: Ni NPs 20.10. v.g._100kx_001). Especially when using Hydrazine. When using NaBH4 I synthesized agglomerated "flakes" (see 2nd attachment: NiNPs1301_23_100kx_002) as well as "clouds" (see attachment 3: NiNPs1301_23_100kx_B_005).

I keep the "NPS" dispersed in absolute Ethanol, I ultrasonicate them for some minutes before I drop the dispersion on the SEM sample holder where it has to dry for SEM particle analysis. If you have any advice I would be very pleased, thank you very much!

Best regards,

Irina