Exploring the Properties and Applications of nickel chloride

Nickel chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NiCl2. 

Nickel Chloride Physical Properties

Density: 3.55

Boiling point: Sublimes at 973ºC; deliquesces

Melting point: 1001ºC

Molecular formula: Cl2Ni

Molecular weight: 129.599

Appearance: Orange powder

Nickel chloride Properties

1. Avoid contact with alkali. Soluble in water and ethanol, its aqueous solution is slightly acidic. It is easy to be weathered in dry air and easy to deliquesce in humid air. When heated above 140°C, it completely loses crystal water and turns into a yellow-brown powder.

2. Vigorous reaction with potassium. Decomposed by high heat, emitting toxic fumes.

3. The staff should be well protected. If they accidentally touch the skin and eyes, they should be washed with plenty of water immediately. Weathering in dry air, deliquescence in moist air. Soluble in water, ethanol and ammonia. Hydrate coexisting with saturated solution, above 29°C is tetrahydrate; above 64°C is dihydrate.

Nickel Chloride Storage

1. Keep the container sealed

2. It should be stored in a cool, ventilated and dry warehouse. 

Preparation of Nickel Chloride

1. Put NiCl2·6H2O powder in the grinding neck flask, inject thionyl chloride (SOCl2) to cover the powder, install a reflux condenser, and heat to reflux for several hours. Excess SOCl2 was distilled off with a water bath. SOCl2 on the product can be removed by repeatedly evacuating the flask.

2. Put NiCl2·6H2O in the combustion tube, dry at 150°C, and then pass HCl gas flow containing Cl2, and heat to 400°C. After the yellow NiCl2 is generated, one end of the tube is sealed, and the tube is heated to the highest temperature that the tube can withstand while the oil pump is vacuuming, so that the product is sublimated. In order to remove HCl, the sublimation product can be placed on top of KOH and annealed at 160°C under high vacuum

Nickel Chloride Uses

1. Used for electroplating nickel, as anodic activator in rapid nickel plating, as ammonia absorbent in industry or gas masks. Used in the manufacture of catalysts and dry batteries. Creates Visible Ink.

2. Used in nickel plating, tin-nickel alloy plating, cobalt-nickel-phosphorus alloy plating, electroforming nickel, electroless nickel plating and immersion nickel plating solutions, and also used as an additive for galvanizing, etc. When using, special attention should be paid to the content of copper, zinc and nitrate in it.  

3. In the chemical polishing of aluminum alloy, the addition of nickel can improve the quality of polishing and grinding.