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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 March 2011
Three dimensional Ni and NiO inverse opal macromeshes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (SEM). The octahedral cubes of the macroporous Ni were found mostly grown as single crystals with staking faults and microtwins. There was no preferential growth of these cubes as determined by selected area diffraction pattern (SADP). Some NiO nanocrystals with size of about 5 nm were formed on the surface of inverse Ni opal membrane during etching away of silica spheres. The oxidation of Ni mesh turned it into NiO macromesh with grain size of about 20 nm at 550°C. The nanocrystalline NiO mesh is suitable for further fabrication of three dimensional nanobeads. By annealing the meshes at 650°C, the NiO nanograins grew to a size of over 50 nm. This three dimensional ordered macroporous structure with higher temperature treatment is considered as stable and important for further application.