Description

The vast majority of nickel is used in alloys and more than 3,000 nickel alloys
have been identified. Nickel is used to make stainless steel and other metal
alloys. Nickel is commonly alloyed with iron, copper (Monel), chromium, aluminium
and zinc. Alloys are used in the making of metal coins and jewellery and, in
industry, for making metal items. Nickel and nickel compounds are used for nickel
electroplating, to colour ceramics, to make batteries, for permanent magnet
materials, and as catalysts.

Nickel acetate is used mainly as a mordant in the textile industry, and as a

hydrogenation catalyst. It is also used as an intermediate in the formation of
other nickel compounds, as a sealer for anodised aluminium, and in nickel
electroplating.

Nickel carbonate is used as a chemical intermediate for nickel oxide, nickel

powder, and nickel catalysts. It serves in electric components, such as vacuum
tubes and transistor cans. It is used as a catalyst to remove organic contaminants
from wastewater or potable water. It is used in the preparation of coloured glass,
in the manufacture of certain nickel pigments, as a neutralising compound in nickel
electroplating solution, and in the preparation of many specialty nickel compounds.
NiCO3

Nickel hydroxide is used in nickel-cadmium batteries and as a chemical intermediary

for nickel catalysts and nickel salts. The hydrogenation of finely powdered
newspaper with a nickel hydroxide catalyst produces conversion in high yields of
cellulose feed materials to liquid hydrocarbon fuels.

Nickel oxide is used in fuel cell electrodes, the production of active nickel
catalysts, electroplating, and colouring and decolourising glass. It is also used
in the manufacture of nickel salts which can be used to make refined nickel oxide.
It is used in non-metallic resistance thermometers or thermistors, which are
temperature-sensitive semiconducting ceramics.
Substance details

Substance name: Nickel and compounds

CASR number: 7440-02-0

Molecular formula: Ni

Synonyms: Raney alloy, Raney nickel, C.I. 77775.

Nickel compounds covered by this article include nickel acetate (CASR# 373-02-4),
nickel carbonate (CASR# 3333-67-3), nickel chloride (CASR# 7718-54-9), nickel
hydroxide (CAS #12054-48-7), nickel nitrate (CASR# 13138-45-9), nickel oxide (CAS
#1313-99-1), and nickel sulfate (CASR# 7786-81-4). Nickel carbonyl and nickel
subsulfide are treated separately in the NPI.
Physical properties

Nickel is a silvery-white, hard, malleable, ductile, ferromagnetic metal. It is a

good conductor of electricity and heat.

Atomic Number: 28

Atomic Mass: 58.7

Melting Point: 1453C

Boiling Point: 2732C

Specific Gravity: 8.9

Properties vary widely depending on the particular compound. Some physical

properties for selected nickel compounds follow.

Nickel acetate is a green powder that effloresces somewhat in air. It has a light
acetic acid odour.

Nickel carbonate occurs as light green rhombic crystals or as a brown powder. It

decomposes before it melts.

Nickel hydroxide occurs as either a fine green powder, green crystals, or an

amorphous black powder. Its melting point is 230C and its vapour density is 3.2.

Nickel oxide occurs as a green or black powder that becomes yellow when heated.
Nickel oxide has a specific gravity of 6.7 and melts at 1960C.

Nickel sulfate is a yellow-green crystalline solid. It decomposes when heated. Its

specific gravity is 3.7.
Chemical properties

Nickel metal is relatively resistant to corrosion. It dissolves in dilute mineral

acids and is insoluble in concentrated nitric acid.

Water solubility of nickel compounds vary. Nickel acetate, bromide, chloride,

iodide, nitrate and sulfate are soluble in water. Hydrated nickel (II) is the
primary ion in aqueous solutions. Nickel oxides, hydroxides, sulfides, arsenide,
chromate, carbonate, phosphate and selenide are water-insoluble nickel compounds.
More properties for selected nickel compounds follow.

Nickel oxide is soluble in acids, potassium cyanide, and ammonium hydroxide. It is

insoluble in both cold and hot water, and caustic solutions. The black form of
nickel oxide is chemically reactive, whereas the green nickel oxide form is inert
and refractory.

Nickel acetate is soluble in acetic acid and water, and insoluble in alcohol.
Nickel acetate decomposes before it melts, forming nickel oxide and emitting
irritating fumes.

Nickel carbonate is soluble in dilute acids and ammonia, and insoluble in hot
water. It can react violently with iodine, hydrogen sulfide, or a mixture of barium
oxide and air.

Nickel hydroxide is soluble in acids and ammonium hydroxide, but is practically

insoluble in water. It decomposes into nickel oxide and water when heated at
elevated temperatures.