Ni/NiO thin films for potential uses in batteries, fuel cells, sensors and supercapacitors were prepared by metallo-organic decomposition technique, using a unique solvent system of propionic acid (PPA) and amylamine (AA), in 0.5-2.0 molar ratios and 1 M Ni acetate precursor solute. This mixed solvent system exhibits ionic molecular clusters in solution, with nickel ions forming square planar coordinate complexes with the carboxylate groups, leading to easy film formation on spin coating at 3000 rpm and densification below 350 degrees C. Nano-sized (similar to 50 nm), high surface area, low resistive (similar to 600 n Omega m) Ni/NiO thin films were developed at a molar ratio of 1:1 AA/PPA using this methodology. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.