Characterization of Nano-Ni and Nano-TiO2

Nano-Ni (Lot No. 2237) and Nano-TiO₂ (Lot No. TiO₂-55–1) used in this study were obtained from Inabata & Co., Ltd., Vacuum Metallurgical Co., Ltd., Japan. Their characteristics were described previously [2 (link), 7 (link), 9 (link), 50 (link)]. Briefly, Nano-Ni is composed of Ni (85–90%) and NiO (10–15%), while Nano-TiO₂ is composed of anatase (90%) and rutile (10%) [2 (link), 7 (link), 50 (link)]. The mean diameters of Nano-Ni and Nano-TiO₂ in the powder are 20 nm and 28 nm determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their mean hydrodynamic sizes are 250 nm and 280 nm determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The specific surface area is 43.8 m²/g for Nano-Ni and 45.0 m²/g for Nano-TiO₂ [2 (link), 7 (link), 9 (link)]. Nano-Ni and Nano-TiO₂ were dispersed in physiological saline, ultrasonicated for 10 min in an ultrasonic cleaner FS30 (Fisher Scientific, Pittsburg, PA), and vortexed thoroughly prior to each experiment.