Synthesis and characterisation of NiCoP urchins

NiCoP with an urchin‐like structure was successfully synthesised by a facile solvothermal route and characterised by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that NiCoP was a single crystal structure, composed of a large number of urchin‐like structures and few spherical structures. In addition, a few hollow urchins‐likes were observed. Moreover, many nanorods self‐assembled on the surface of the urchin‐like NiCoP, with lengths of 300–500 nm and a diameter of 20 nm. The novel NiCoP nuclei were aggregated into spherical particles that gradually grew into hollow urchin‐like structures via Ostwald ripening. In addition, NiCoP has good adsorption properties and can absorb some organic dyes, like Malachite green and Congo red.