Nickel(II) hydroxide is the inorganic compound with the formula Ni(OH)2. It is a lime-green solid that dissolves with decomposition in ammonia and amines and is attacked by acids. It is electroactive, being converted to the Ni(III) oxy-hydroxide, leading to widespread applications in rechargeable batteries.[6]
Properties
Nickel(II) hydroxide has two well-characterized polymorphs, α and β. The α structure consists of Ni(OH)2 layers with intercalated anions or water.[7][8] The β form adopts a hexagonal close-packed structure of Ni2+ and OH− ions.[7][8] In the presence of water, the α polymorph typically recrystallizes to the β form.[7][9] In addition to the α and β polymorphs, several γ nickel hydroxides have been described, distinguished by crystal structures with much larger inter-sheet distances.[7]
The mineral form of Ni(OH)2, theophrastite, was first identified in the Vermion region of northern Greece, in 1980. It is found naturally as a translucent emerald-green crystal formed in thin sheets near the boundaries of idocrase or chlorite crystals.[10] A nickel-magnesium variant of the mineral, (Ni,Mg)(OH)2 had been previously discovered at Hagdale on the island of Unst in Scotland.[11]
Reactions
Nickel(II) hydroxide is frequently used in electrical car batteries.[8] Specifically, Ni(OH)2 readily oxidizes to nickel oxyhydroxide, NiOOH, in combination with a reduction reaction, often of a metal hydride (reaction 1 and 2).[12][13]
Reaction 1Ni(OH)2 + OH− → NiO(OH) + H2O + e−
Reaction 2M + H2O + e− → MH + OH−
Net Reaction (in H2O)
Ni(OH)2 + M → NiOOH + MH
Of the two polymorphs, α-Ni(OH)2 has a higher theoretical capacity and thus is generally considered to be preferable in electrochemical applications. However, it transforms to β-Ni(OH)2 in alkaline solutions, leading to many investigations into the possibility of stabilized α-Ni(OH)2 electrodes for industrial applications.[9]
Synthesis
The synthesis entails treating aqueous solutions of nickel(II) salts with potassium hydroxide. When the same reaction is conducted in the presence of bromine, the product is Ni3O2(OH)4.[14]
^CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (84 ed.). CRC press. 2003. pp. 4–71. ISBN0849304849.
^John Rumble (June 18, 2018). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (99 ed.). CRC Press. pp. 5–189. ISBN978-1138561632.
^Enoki, Toshiaki; Tsujikawa, Ikuji (1975). "Magnetic Behaviours of a Random Magnet, NipMg(1-p)(OH2)". Journal of the Physical Society of Japan. 39 (2): 317. Bibcode:1975JPSJ...39..317E. doi:10.1143/JPSJ.39.317.
^ abZumdahl, Steven S. (2009). Chemical Principles (6 ed.). Houghton Mifflin Company. p. A22. ISBN978-0-618-94690-7.
^ abcdOliva, P.; Leonardi, J.; Laurent, J.F. (1982). "Review of the structure and the electrochemistry of nickel hydroxides and oxy-hydroxides". Journal of Power Sources. 8 (2): 229–255. Bibcode:1982JPS.....8..229O. doi:10.1016/0378-7753(82)80057-8.
^ abcJeevanandam, P.; Koltypin, Y.; Gedanken, A. (2001). "Synthesis of Nanosized α-Nickel Hydroxide by a Sonochemical Method". Nano Letters. 1 (5): 263–266. Bibcode:2001NanoL...1..263J. doi:10.1021/nl010003p.
^ abShukla, A.K.; Kumar, V.G.; Munichandriah, N. (1994). "Stabilized α-Ni(OH)2 as Electrode Material for Alkaline Secondary Cells". Journal of the Electrochemical Society. 141 (11): 2956–2959. Bibcode:1994JElS..141.2956V. doi:10.1149/1.2059264.
^O. Glemser (1963). "Nickel (II) Hydroxide and Nickel (II,III) Hydroxide". In G. Brauer (ed.). Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. Vol. 2. New York: Academic Press. p. 1549-1551.