Synthesis of nickel hydroxychloride microspheres via a facile template-free process and their conversion to β-Ni(OH)2 microspheres

Hierarchical flower-like nickel hydroxychloride microspheres were prepared by forced hydrolysis reaction of nickel chloride hexahydrate in ethanol via a facile template-free solvothermal process. The flower-like nickel hydroxychloride microspheres, which were prepared with low concentration of Ni without adding H2O, were composed of crumpled nanosheets with random orientation. The aggregation growth and the dissolution–recrystallization process were involved in the formation of the flower-like nickel hydroxychloride microspheres. The flower-like β-Ni(OH)2 microspheres were prepared by nickel hydroxychloride microspheres treated with high concentration of KOH. The β-Ni(OH)2 microspheres prepared with higher concentration of KOH showed better electrochemical performance, while the β-Ni(OH)2 microspheres prepared with lower concentration of KOH showed better adsorption activity for acid fuchsine.