Ni
58.693Nickel
Nikel
Nickel is a corrosion-resistant transition metal with atomic number 28. It is widely used in stainless steel, superalloys, electroplating, batteries and hydrogenation catalysts, and nickel allergy is a common contact allergy.
28
58.693 g/mol
[Ar] 3d⁸ 4s²
2 | 8 | 16 | 2
1.91
8.908 g/cm³
1454.8 °C
2912.8 °C
Axel Fredrik Cronstedt
Nickel was isolated by Axel Fredrik Cronstedt in 1751 from the mineral niccolite. Its name comes from kupfernickel, a miner’s term for an ore that looked like copper ore but did not yield copper.
Nickel-58
Natural abundance: About 68.1%. The most abundant stable isotope of nickel.Nickel-60
Natural abundance: About 26.2%. Stable isotope of nickel.Nickel-61
Natural abundance: About 1.14%. Stable isotope used in NMR studies.Nickel-62
Natural abundance: About 3.63%. Stable isotope with extremely high binding energy per nucleon.Nickel-64
Natural abundance: About 0.93%. Stable isotope of nickel.NiO
Nickel(II) OxideCeramic pigment, catalyst material and battery-related precursor.NiCl₂
Nickel(II) ChlorideElectroplating bath component and catalyst precursor.NiSO₄
Nickel SulfateMajor nickel electroplating and battery-material chemical.Ni(CO)₄
Nickel TetracarbonylToxic volatile compound used in the Mond process for purifying nickel.Ni(OH)₂
Nickel(II) HydroxideActive material in nickel-based rechargeable batteries.- Stainless steels and corrosion-resistant alloys
- Nickel superalloys such as Inconel for jet engines and high-temperature equipment
- Electroplating for protective and decorative coatings
- Rechargeable batteries including nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium systems
- Raney nickel catalyst for hydrogenation reactions
Nickel is essential for some microorganisms and plants in enzymes such as urease and hydrogenase. Its essential role in humans is unclear, and nickel is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
- Nickel is ferromagnetic at room temperature, along with iron and cobalt.
- The Mond process uses volatile nickel tetracarbonyl to purify nickel, but Ni(CO)₄ is extremely toxic.
- Raney nickel is a porous catalyst widely used in organic hydrogenation.
- Nickel contact allergy is one of the most common metal allergies worldwide.
- Nickel has atomic number 28 and belongs to group 10.
- Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d⁸ 4s².
- The most common oxidation state is +2.
- Nickel improves toughness and corrosion resistance in stainless steels and superalloys.
What is the atomic number of nickel?
The atomic number of nickel is 28.
What is the electron configuration of nickel?
Nickel has the electron configuration [Ar] 3d⁸ 4s².
What is nickel used for?
Nickel is used in stainless steel, superalloys, plating, batteries, catalysts, coins and magnets.
Why is nickel used in stainless steel?
Nickel improves toughness, formability and corrosion resistance in many stainless steel grades.
What is Raney nickel?
Raney nickel is a porous nickel catalyst used for hydrogenation reactions in organic chemistry and industry.
What is the Mond process for nickel?
The Mond process purifies nickel by forming volatile nickel tetracarbonyl, Ni(CO)₄, and then decomposing it back to high-purity nickel.
Is nickel allergy common?
Yes. Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, especially from jewelry and metal objects.