Synthesis and characterization of kotoite-type nickel borate nanoparticles

In this study, the synthesis and characterization of nickel borate (Ni₃(BO₃)₂) nanoparticles were investigated. The materials were prepared using two different organic fuels, tartaric acid and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) via the solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method. Nickel nitrate and boric acid were used as the precursor materials, and the reaction conditions were carefully optimized based on stoichiometric calculations. The resulting products were calcined at 400°C and 900°C and thoroughly characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the successful formation of Ni₃(BO₃)₂ nanoparticles with both fuel types. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the characteristic vibration bands of the BO₃ units. The results demonstrated that both the choice of fuel and the calcination temperature play a significant role in determining the crystalline structure and thermal stability of the products. Nickel borates synthesized with tartaric acid exhibited greater structural stability at higher temperatures, whereas HMTA-derived (hexamethylenetetramine) samples showed more efficient performance at lower temperatures. These findings provide valuable insights for the effective optimization of nickel borate nanoparticles in industrial applications and serve as a useful reference for future research in this area.