Synthesis of mesostructured nickel oxide with silica

Mesostructured nickel oxide was formed with nickel sulfate and cationic sur factant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak s at low scattering angles and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indic ated that a mesostructure was formed. However, these XRD patterns disappear ed after calcination. The addition of sodium silicate in the precursor solu tions produced a mesostructure, which is stable against calcination. Surfac e areas as high as 530 m(2)/g can be obtained for the nickel silicate mesop hase. TEM-EDXS showed that the Si/Ni molar ratio in the mesophase is simila r to 0.5, independent: of the initial Si/Ni ratio in the precursor.