Hydrothermal route have been used in different conditions for preparation of $Ni(OH)_2$ nanostructures. The NiO nanoparticles were obtained by calcining the $Ni(OH)_2$ precursor at $450^{circ}C$ for 2 h. The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) as surfactant on the morphology and size of $Ni(OH)_2$ nanoparticles were discussed in detail. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the products. The growth mechanism of the as-synthesized nanostructures was also discussed in detail based on the experimental results. Coming up, the NiO nanoparticle modified carbon paste electrode was applied to the determination of captopril in aqueous solution.