Self-assembled 3D flower-like Ni2+-Fe3+ layered double hydroxides and their calcined products.

This paper describes a facile solvothermal method to synthesize self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) Ni2+-Fe3+ layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Flower-like Ni2+-Fe3+ LDHs constructed of thin nanopetals were obtained using ethylene glycol (EG) as a chelating reagent and urea as a hydrolysis agent. The reaction mechanism and self-assembly process are discussed. After calcinating the as-prepared LDHs at 450 degrees C in nitrogen gas, porous NiO/NiFe2O4 nanosheets were obtained. This work resulted in the development of a simple, cheap, and effective route for the fabrication of large area Ni2+-Fe3+ LDHs as well as porous NiO/NiFe2O4 nanosheets.