Nickel/silica precursor from sodium silicate solution - Synthesis and characterization

Abstract

The aim of this paper was the investigation of the influence of synthesis parameters, as well as the order of synthesis steps, in procedure of chemical precipitation, on the properties of synthesized nickel precursor. The starting materials were always the same aqueous solutions of Ni(NO3) 2·6H2O and Mg(NO3)2· 6H2O of constant molar ratio, 2% solution of SiO2 in the form of sodium silicate solution (module SiO2/Na2O = 3.0) and 10% solution of Na2CO3, while synthesis steps and addition modes were varied. Complete pH and temperature monitoring was performed during entire synthesis at 90°C. The formed precipitate aged 30 minutes at synthesis temperature. By changing the order and conditions of adding SiO 2 and Na2CO3 solutions and keeping the treatment of precipitates the same (rinsing with hot distilled water followed by drying at 110°C for 24 hours) six different precursors were obtained. Samples characterizations were performed using different experimental techniques: XRD analysis, IR spectroscopy, reflection spectroscopy, TG analysis, N2 physisorption. The relation between synthesis procedure and precursor properties was established.