New route of microwave-assisted synthesis of carbon-supported nickel phosphide (C/Ni 2P) nanocomposite

摘要

A novel, fast, and easy method for synthesizing a carbon-supported Ni2P nanocomposite (C/Ni2P) is described. The process involves a reaction between a nickel salt, phosphoric acid, and a carbon source by utilizing microwave irradiation. The carbon source for the nanocomposite is from renewable supplies, namely, tannin and lignin. The method has successfully synthesized Ni2P nanoparticles dispersed in a carbon matrix with a particle size ranging from 20 to 50 nm in diameter. During the microwave process, tannin and lignin provided a reducing environment in the microwave irradiation process. The synthesized products are characterized by several characterization methods. The method showed that phosphoric acid, which is a nontoxic compound, could be used as an alternative P source for synthesizing Ni2P. The method is fast, easy, and an economical process to synthesize the carbon-coated Ni2P nanocomposite.