Morphological Control of Hydrothermal Ni(OH)2 in the Presence of Polymers and Surfactants: Nanocrystals, Mesocrystals, and Superstructures

International audience; Polymers with different hydrophilic groups [polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), ammonium polyacrylate (APA), and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC)] and surfactants [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecylbenzensulfonate (SDBS)] were used as additives to modify the crystallization of β-Ni(OH)2 in hydrothermal conditions. Marked morphological changes in the β-Ni(OH)2 particles were observed depending on the additive concentration and on the duration of the hydrothermal treatment. The final morphology is the result of a complex, time-dependent self-assembly and growth process. Well-defined particles with sizes from submicrometer range to a few micrometers co…