LAUSR

In this work, Ni and Ni/NiO composite powders were synthesized by one-pot solution combustion method using different fuel to oxidant (φ) ratios (φ = 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75). Phase evolution studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method showed that single phase Ni powders were formed at high fuel contents, while the low fuel contents led to the formation of Ni/NiO composite powders. The high combustion temperature resulted in the sintered and large Ni particles (1.1 μm). The particle size decreased up to 50 nm by adding KCl as diluent. However, the amount of NiO phase increased by addition of KCl. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of Ni powders decreased from 51 to 42 emu/g with the increase of φ values from 1.25 to 1.75. The Ms decreased up to 18.5 emu/g, due to the formation of a large amount of NiO phase by addition of KCl. The coercivity of the synthesized powders was in the range of 78 to 111 Oe, as a function of particle size.