Dataset on the structural, morphological, chemical and electrical properties of sonochemically synthesized NiOx under different annealing environments

Description

This dataset was generated to examine the hypothesis that the processing atmosphere influences the structural, chemical, morphological, and electrical characteristics of Nickel Oxide (NiOx) prepared at a low annealing temperature of 250 °C. NiOx nanoparticles were first prepared by sonochemical precipitation of Nickel Chloride Hexahydrate (NiCl₂·6H₂O) with Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), followed by washing, drying at 70 °C for 12 h, and division into two batches. The batches were then annealed at 250 °C for 60 min under either ambient air or a 5% H₂ atmosphere using the same precursor and synthesis conditions. The dataset contains complementary XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), FTIR, XPS, particle-size distribution, and Hall-effect measurements. XRD data document the crystalline phases and diffraction features of the two processing conditions. SAED and TEM data provide information on crystallinity, local structure, morphology, particle size, and particle-size distribution. FTIR data provide spectra covering the hydroxyl-related and other vibrational regions. XPS data include wide-scan surface composition and high-resolution Ni 2p and O 1s spectra, allowing comparison of surface elemental composition, nickel chemical states, and oxygen-related spectral contributions. Hall-effect data provide carrier type, carrier concentration, mobility, and resistivity. Notable differences are observed between the two processing environments. The ambient-processed material retains hydroxide-related secondary phases and stronger hydroxyl-related spectral contributions, whereas the H₂-assisted material shows cubic rock-salt NiO diffraction features with reduced hydroxyl-related contributions. Particle-size analysis gives a broader distribution for the ambient sample, approximately 5–15 nm with an average of about 9 nm, while the H₂-assisted sample has a narrower distribution with an average of approximately 6 nm. XPS shows differences in surface composition and Ni 2p and O 1s spectral features between the two conditions, including a Ni³⁺ component in the H₂-assisted sample and a more pronounced lattice-oxygen contribution. Both samples exhibit p-type characteristics. The ambient sample has a carrier concentration of 9.33 × 10¹³ cm⁻³, mobility of 11.22 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, and resistivity of 5.96 × 10³ Ω·cm, while the H₂-assisted sample has 7.26 × 10¹³ cm⁻³, 90.32 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, and 9.52 × 10² Ω·cm, respectively. The data can be interpreted as a coordinated comparison of how the two processing environments are associated with phase evolution, hydroxyl-related species, particle-size characteristics, surface chemistry, and electrical transport. The dataset is intended to allow these measurements to be examined individually or together according to the processing condition. The complete preparation and characterization parameters provided with the dataset should be used when comparing or reusing the data.

Institutions

• Sunway University

  Selangor, Petaling Jaya
• Saveetha University

  Tamil Nadu, Chennai
• United Arab Emirates University

  Abu Dhabi, Al Ain

Categories

Funders

• Sunway University Postgraduate PhD Studentship Scholarship

  Grant ID: 2024/REC0104

Licence