Synthesis and characterization of SiO₂-NiO xerogel nanocomposite prepared by sol–gel method for catalytic reduction of <i>p</i>-nitrophenol

This manuscript describes the preparation and characterization of silica-nickel oxide (SiO2-NiO) xerogel nanocomposite its catalytic application in hydrogenation p-nitrophenol. Hydrochloric acid ammonium hydroxide were used as base catalyst, respectively during synthesis SiO2-NiO. The Fourier Transformation Infra-Red spectroscopic results supported formation silica skeleton structure with corresponding characteristic peaks siloxane linkage. surface SiO2-NiO was observed to be porous along some irregular cracks. X-Ray diffraction analysis showed that amorphous nature. synthesized employed a catalyst for p-nitrophenol sodium borohydride water. rate increased amount well temperature. maximum reduction found high 0.26 min-1.