Hierarchical Porous Honeycombed Nickel Oxide Microspheres Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing mesoporous nickel oxide microspheres are cumbersome, energy-intensive, costly, and difficult to control in terms of particle size and pore size, with a high risk of agglomeration and environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A hydrothermal reaction method using nickel sulfate hexahydrate, urea, and glycerol to produce hierarchical porous honeycombed nickel oxide microspheres, which eliminates the need for surfactants and pH adjustments, allowing for control of particle size and pore size distribution through adjustment of reaction conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If silica hard template method or carbon hard template method is used to synthesize mesoporous nickel oxide, then the material can achieve porous structure, but the process becomes cumbersome and multi-step with high energy consumption and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex template synthesis steps (silica hard template, carbon hard template) from the preparation process. By using a direct hydrothermal method with simple reagents (nickel sulfate, urea, glycerol), the invention removes the cumbersome multi-step processing while still achieving the desired porous nickel oxide structure, thereby reducing environmental pollution and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available reagents (nickel sulfate hexahydrate, urea, glycerol) that can be easily disposed of after use, replacing the expensive and environmentally problematic template materials. This approach reduces both cost and environmental impact while maintaining effective porous structure formation.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to synthesize microspherical nickel oxides, then the material can be produced, but the microspheres exhibit defects such as easy agglomeration and difficult size control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the hydrothermal process, specifically controlling the molar ratios of reagents (nickel sulfate to urea at 1:1 to 1:3, presence of glycerol), temperature (90-150°C), and time (0.5-24 hours) to precisely control microsphere size (1-10 μm) and prevent agglomeration. These parameter optimizations enable both size control and agglomeration resistance simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional synthesis methods are employed, then nickel oxide can be produced, but it is difficult to simultaneously control the morphology and make the microsphere particle size and mesoporous pore size controllable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal hydrothermal method that simultaneously controls multiple aspects of the material: morphology (honeycombed porous structure), microsphere particle size (1-10 μm), and pore size (2-10 nm). The simple one-pot synthesis using nickel sulfate, urea, and glycerol achieves all these controls in a single process, making the method both precise and easy to manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method results in microspheres with a high specific surface area, uniform size distribution, and controlled pore sizes, enhancing their performance in catalysis, sensing, and adsorption applications while reducing energy consumption and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
urea, water and glycerol, to obtain a mixed solution; subjecting the mixed solution to a hydrothermal reaction
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the mixed solution to a hydrothermal reaction, to obtain a precursor
Implementation Method 3
calcining the precursor, to obtain the hierarchical porous honeycombed nickel oxide microspheres
Data Source
AI summary
A hierarchical porous honeycombed nickel oxide microsphere and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The method includes mixing nickel sulfate hexahydrate, urea, water and glycerol, to obtain a mixed solution; subjecting the mixed solution to a hydrothermal reaction, to obtain a precursor; and calcining the precursor, to obtain the hierarchical porous honeycombed nickel oxide microspheres.