Supplementary Data
Synthesis and Characterizations of Highly Efficient Nickel Nanocatalysts and
Their Use in Degradation of Organic Dyes
A protocol for synthesis of ordered nickel nanostructure arrays with unique morphologies is
described. In the present experimental findings a modified hydrazine reduction route has been
described for fabrication of stable colloidal dispersions of nickel nanostructures in a lyotropic liquid
crystalline medium using Triton X-100 as a nonionic surfactant. Different parameters, such as the
concentrations of Ni, hydrazine hydrate and TX-100, were optimized using UV-vis spectrometry. The
effects of temperature, pH and stability of Ni NPs were studied by aging the solutions for many days.
The characterization studies include scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD)
and Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Figure S-1
Figure S-1. SEM images of TX-100 stabilized Ni NSs obtained at pH 4.2.
1
Figure S-2
Figure S-2. SEM images of TX-100 stabilized Ni NSs obtained at pH 7.3.
2
Figure S-3
Abs
1.50
a
fresh
10 sec
20 sec
30 sec
Rose B
0.75
0.00
450
500
550
600
650
Wavelength (nm)
3.00
M Blue
b
fresh
10 sec
20 sec
30 sec
40 sec
Abs
2.25
1.50
MB+NaBH
4
No Ni NPs
0.75
0.00
550
600
650
700
750
Wavelength (nm)
3
1.5
c
Eosin B
Fresh
10 sec
20 sec
30 sec
40 sec
Abs
1.0
0.5
0.0
450
500
550
600
Wavelength (nm)
2.0
d
ECBT
fresh
10 sec
20 sec
30 sec
40 sec
Abs
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
300
400
500
600
700
800
Wavelength (nm)
4
3.0
e
Mixture
fresh
10 sec
20 sec
30 sec
40 sec
2.5
Abs
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
300
400
500
600
700
800
Wavelength (nm)
Figure S-3. UV-vis spectral analysis for catalytic reduction/degradation of a variety of dyes: (a) 0.02
mM EB; (b) 0.02 mM RB; (c) 0.02 mM ECBT; (d) 0.02 mM MB; and (e) mixture of all four dyes,
carried out in 4.0 ml of de-ionized water with 0.01 M NaBH4 without Ni NSs.
5