NICKEL NITRATE

Uses

Nickel nitrate is used in the preparation of nickel-impregnated catalysts. It also is used to make nickel plates in nickel-cadmium batteries. Other applications are in ceramics to produce brown colors and in preparing nickel oxide.

Preparation

Nickel nitrate hexahydrate may be prepared by several methods based on the reaction of dilute nitric acid on nickel powder, nickel oxide or nickel carbonate. The reaction is exothermic and requires controlled cooling during production. The hexahydrate can be dehydrated to anhydrous salt by treatment with fuming nitric acid.

Chemical Properties

Green, deliquescent crystals.Soluble in water, ammonium hydroxide, and alcohol.

Chemical Properties

Nickel nitrate is a green powder.

Physical properties

The hexahydrate forms emerald green monoclinic crystals; hygroscopic; density 2.05 g/cm³; isomorphous with corresponding cobalt salt; melts at 56.7°C; loses water on heating, decomposing to nickel oxide; very soluble in water; aqueous solution acidic; soluble in ethanol.

Uses

Nickel plating, preparation of nickel catalysts, manufacture of brown ceramic colors.

General Description

NICKEL NITRATE is a green crystalline solid. NICKEL NITRATE is soluble in water. NICKEL NITRATE is noncombustible, but NICKEL NITRATE will accelerate the burning of combustible materials. If large quantities are involved in a fire or the combustible material is finely divided, an explosion may result. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat may result in an explosion. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires involving NICKEL NITRATE. NICKEL NITRATE is used in nickel plating and to make nickel catalysts for use in chemical manufacture.

Air & Water Reactions

Nickel nitrate, Ni(N03)2·SH20, is green, monoclinic, deliquescent crystals that are soluble in water and alcohol; a dangerous fife hazard and strong oxidant that is used in nickel plating and the preparation of catalysts and brown ceramic coloring.

Reactivity Profile

Green, crystalline material, toxic and carcinogenic. A powerful oxidizer, NICKEL NITRATE may cause a violent reaction with reducing materials (e.g., magnesium or aluminum powder, tin(II) chloride). Dangerous fire hazard, acts as oxygen carrier. When heated to decomposition NICKEL NITRATE emits highly toxic fumes of oxides of nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 915]. Complexes with tetrammine and tetrahydrazine are explosive [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1685].

Hazard

Dangerous fire risk, strong oxidizing agent.

Health Hazard

Inhalation of dust causes irritation of nose and throat. Ingestion causes vomiting. Dust irritates eyes and may cause dermatitis in contact with skin.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

Confirmed human carcinogen. Poison by intravenous route. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. A powerful oxilzer. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NOx. See also NICKEL COMPOUNDS and NITRATES.

Potential Exposure

Nickel nitrate is used in electroplating, in nickel catalyst production for making other chemicals and the manufacture of brown ceramic colors.

Shipping

UN2725 Nickel Nitrate, Hazard Class: 5.1; Labels: 5.1-Oxidizer.

Incompatibilities

A strong oxidizer. Incompatible with strong acids; sulfur, combustibles, organics, and other easily oxidizable materials. Noncombustible, but it will accelerate the burning of combustible materials. If large quantities are involved in a fire or the combustible material is finely divided, an explosion may result. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat may result in an explosion.

Waste Disposal

Consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant (≥100 kg/mo) must conform with EPA regulations governing storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal.