Controllable synthesis of Ni nanotube arrays and their structure-dependent catalytic activity toward dye degradation†
Abstract
Ni nanotube arrays with an outer diameter of 100 nm to 2.0 μm were systematically fabricated through a novel facile one-step template-based electroless deposition method without any chemical modification. The structural properties of Ni nanotubes, such as inner and outer diameters, wall thickness, length, and crystalline state, can be well controlled by adjusting the template pores, reagent concentration, and gas evolution. Length-controlled Ni nanorods were obtained at a low reagent concentration in a time-dependent manner. The growth mechanisms, termed gas-directed diffusion-assisted tubular growth and diffusion-directed clubbed growth, showed that both gas evolution and the ionic diffusion rate are the key factors affecting the growth of Ni nanotubes (or nanorods). The relationship between the structures and catalytic properties of the as-prepared Ni nanostructures was studied in detail by dye degradation using a NaBH4 model reaction. Results showed that the Ni nanostructures exhibited higher catalytic efficiency for dye degradation than other nanocatalysts. In addition, the catalytic activities of these Ni nanostructures depended on both shape and size. The results of this study not only provide a general controllable synthesis approach for magnetic metal nanotube arrays but also promote promising nanocatalyst candidates for dye degradation.
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