Nickel oxide (NiO) nanotubes were synthesized via a thermal oxidation process from Ni nanowires. The effects of oxidation temperature on the morphology, microstructures, and composition of nanowires were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the Ni nanowires convert initially to Ni/NiO core-shell nanowires with increasing annealing temperatures, and then to the nanotubes at the critical transition temperature of about 425 °C. Our findings provide useful information for the preparation of NiO nanotubes to meet the required applications.
Keywords: NiO nanotubes; critical transition temperature; microstructure; thermal oxidation.