Preparation of Ni nanoparticles between montmorillonite layers utilizing dimethylaminoborane as reducing agent

Preparation of Ni nanoparticles between montmorillonite layers using dimethylaminoborane (DMAB) as a reducing agent is reported. The DMAB molecules are first intercalated into the interlayer space of Ni-montmorillonite (Ni-mont). Then, as a result of a heating process, the DMAB is decomposed to release electrons for the reduction of the Ni ions. From high-resolution TEM images, it is demonstrated that the deposited Ni nanoparticles with about 1–2 nm in size are formed uniformly over the entire area of the Ni-mont matrix. Considering the gallery height calculated by subtracting the silicate sheet thickness from the basal spacing (1.30 nm), the morphology of the formed Ni nanoparticles in the interlayer space is thought to be disc-like in shape with a thickness of 0.3–0.4 nm and an average lateral size of 1.2 nm.