Nickel is a trace element involved in hematopoiesis (erythropoiesis) and redox processes, providing tissue cells with oxygen.

The substance was discovered in 1751 and occupies twenty-eighth place in the periodic table of D.I. Mendeleev under the symbol “Ni”.

The compound is part of red blood cells, reduces the effects of adrenaline, and has a beneficial calming effect on the nervous system. In case of large blood loss, the element is used in the form of injections to stimulate hematopoiesis and the synthesis of red blood cells. Interestingly, the absorption of nickel in the bloodstream occurs under the influence of hydrochloric acid, which is contained in gastric juice.

The mineral is involved in metabolism and is responsible for maintaining the structure of the cell membrane in a normal state.

The adult body contains from 5 to 14 milligrams of nickel. Content in internal organs depends on age, gender, physiological state of health, weight, and environmental conditions. It has been established that during pregnancy and breastfeeding in women, the absorption of nickel increases. In addition, with age, the element accumulates in the lungs.

The body's daily need for the compound is 100 - 300 micrograms.

General information

Nickel is a ductile and malleable metal, silvery-white in color. Chemical activity is low: it reacts slowly with acids, and does not react with alkalis. When exposed to air, the element becomes covered with an oxide film.

The origin of the name of the compound is associated with an evil spirit - a gnome, who in German mythology seemed to throw to Saxon miners looking for copper a similar mineral - red nickel pyrite NiAs, the so-called arsenic-nickel luster. As a result of unsuccessful attempts to smelt copper from this ore, furious miners assigned the names “Kupfernickel” and “Nickel” to the new metal, which meant “Copper Devil” and “Mischief”, respectively. Today the word “Nikkel”, in the language of German miners, still means a curse word.

In human organs, this microelement is concentrated in the greatest quantities in the pituitary gland (substantia nigra of the midbrain), liver, pancreas, and adrenal glands. Nickel supplied with food is absorbed in the human digestive tract by 1–10%. At the same time, milk, coffee, tea, and ascorbic acid reduce its absorption. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, iron deficiency, on the contrary, increase the absorption of the mineral.

Nickel is transported directly with serum albumin. It is interesting that in blood plasma the element is contained predominantly in a bound state with the proteins alpha-1-glycoprotein and nickeloplasmin (alpha-2-macroglobulin).

The “waste” compound is 95% excreted from the human body with feces, and the remaining 5% with bile, sweat, and urine.

Despite the positive properties of the trace element, remember that nickel is an active allergen that causes eczema and contact dermatitis in people sensitive to this metal. Possible reasons for the development of adverse reactions are contact of household objects, rivets on clothing, jewelry containing the element with the skin.

Biological role

The importance of nickel in maintaining the health of living organisms is under study. Despite the fact that little information is provided about the biological role of the compound, it is known that the element is involved in the structural organization and functioning of DNA, RNA, and protein.

Useful properties of nickel:

• regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism;
• activates the action of insulin, increasing hypoglycemic activity;
• reduces blood pressure;
• stimulates hematopoiesis, increases hemoglobin levels;
• inhibits the effect of adrenaline;
• participates in the synthesis of hormones;
• oxidizes vitamin C;
• enhances the antidiuretic effect of the pituitary gland;
• activates arginase;
• has a calming effect;
• excretes corticosteroids in the urine;
• influences enzymatic processes, accelerates the transformation of sulfhydryl groups into disulfide groups;
• maintains the conformation of the RNA molecule.

With a sufficient amount of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) in the human body, nickel stimulates muscle growth, while a deficiency causes the opposite effect.

Since the 19th century and until now, salts of this microelement have been successfully used in the complex treatment of skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis). The mineral is also indicated for asthenic conditions, hypertension, and diabetes.

Symptoms and consequences of deficiency

Nickel deficiency in the body occurs when consuming 50 micrograms or less of the compound per day, which is 2 to 6 times less than the daily norm.

Considering that the microelement is widely distributed in food products, the daily diet of the average person, as a rule, contains a double daily dose of the beneficial substance (500 - 600 micrograms).

Signs of nickel deficiency in the body:

• decrease in hemoglobin levels and hematocrit;
• lethargy, muscle weakness;
• increased blood sugar levels;
• hypopigmentation;
• decrease in physical activity;
• pathological changes in the liver.

Antagonists of nickel are vitamin C and selenium.

Long-term deficiency of the compound contributes to the appearance of dermatitis, problems with the pericardium, shortening of the hind limbs, delayed physical development, and reduces the body's resistance to diseases.

Symptoms and consequences of excess

An excess of nickel in the human body is much more common than a deficiency. Nickel sulfate and chloride are the most toxic due to their good dissolution in water. Insoluble compounds have a less toxic effect on the human body: oxalate, phosphate, silicate.

Excess nickel in domestic conditions can be obtained as a result of using low-quality dishes, cheap jewelry and dentures, which contain this mineral. In addition, the trace element is present in tobacco, so people who have a bad habit are also at risk.

It is much easier to get an overdose of a mineral in production than in domestic conditions. This is due to the fact that carbonyl nickel and nickel dust formed during metal processing have the ability to accumulate in the body, which leads to rapid poisoning of the worker.

Deficiency of calcium, magnesium, iron increases metal absorption.

When a person is in constant contact with fumes, dust, nickel compounds, or as a result of receiving a single overdose of the element (50 milligrams) with food, medications, or tap water, an “overdose” occurs. In this case, acute inflammation of the skin develops - contact dermatitis, keratitis, vitiligo, asthma, arthritis, cellular immunity weakens, and the activity of enzymes and hormones slows down.

In severe cases, working with oxides or sulfide of the element for 2 years or more can lead to the appearance of tumors of the lungs, nasopharynx, upper respiratory tract diseases, and impaired coordination of movements (ataxia).

Signs and consequences of body poisoning:

• nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath;
• digestive problems;
• dystrophy of the liver, kidneys;
• headache;
• disruptions in the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
• metabolic disorder;
• deterioration of blood composition;
• neurasthenia;
• diseases of the thyroid gland, reproductive organs;
• corneal ulceration;
• urobilin in urine;
• nosebleeds, plethora;
• anemia;
• tachycardia;
• swelling of the lungs, brain;
• pain in the hypochondrium on the right;
• rhinitis;
• decreased response to external stimuli or excessive excitability of the central nervous system.

To restore health and eliminate the symptoms and consequences of excess nickel in the body, it is recommended to limit the intake of the mineral from food and observe safety precautions at work. Namely, wear protective masks and overalls.

Remember, nickel carbonyl compounds are extremely dangerous to human health; sometimes 2–3 hours of continuous inhalation of microelement vapors leads to fatal poisoning.

Food sources

Every day, up to a quarter of the mineral from the daily norm is supplied with hard tap water, which is infused in the pipes overnight, enriched with the compound. In addition, the main food sources of nickel are pure cocoa powder - 980 micrograms per 100 grams of product, bittersweet chocolate - 260 micrograms (milk - 120). The reasons for the high concentration of the element in these products are the constant contact of raw materials with stainless steel machines and the powerful processing process. In addition, the leaders in the content of the compound are legumes.

Table No. 1 “Products rich in nickel”

Product name	Nickel content in 100 grams of product, micrograms
Cocoa powder	980
Cashew	510
Spinach	390
Soybeans	304
Chocolate	120 – 250
Green pea	250
Beans	170
Lentils	160
Corn	80
Beef liver	63
Cereals	50
Rice	50
Wheat	40
Pistachios	40
Rye	30
Apricot	32
Cold smoked horse mackerel	28
Barley grits	23
Wheat flour	22
Pearl barley	20
Black currant	18
Pear	18
Apple	18
Grape	16
White cabbage	15
Beet	14
Sprats in oil	14
Tomatoes	13
Pork	12
Buckwheat	10
Cod, blue whiting	9
Beef	8,6
Pollock, haddock, hake	7
Perch, pike perch, mackerel, pike, flounder	6
Potato	5
Peach	4
Rice groats	2,7

To avoid oversaturation of the diet with nickel and the development of symptoms of overdose, it is recommended to exclude products with a high content of microelements from the menu, replacing them with products with a low percentage of the mineral in their composition. Such products include: onions, cabbage, poultry, pumpkin, carrots, milk, beef, sausages, broccoli. The nickel content in these products does not exceed 15 micrograms per 100 grams of food.

When following a healthy diet, remember that sources high in cholesterol and saturated foods should be eaten in moderation in small portions.

Conclusion

Thus, tobacco smoke, canned food, legumes and chocolate products are non-stop factors that lead to oversaturation and poisoning of the body with microelements. To stay healthy, exclude them from your daily menu.

Those who are allergic to nickel are advised to avoid contact with objects that provoke a reaction, avoid taking products with moderate and high content of the compound (over 40 micrograms per 100 grams of product), and avoid using cosmetics and jewelry that contain the allergen. In addition, when working with metal, use skin and respiratory protection (for example, latex gloves, masks).

The metal was first obtained in its impure form in 1751 by the Swedish chemist A. Kronstedt, who also proposed the name of the element. A much purer metal was obtained in 1804 by the German chemist I. Richter. The name “Nickel” comes from the mineral kupfernickel (NiAs), known already in the 17th century and often misleading miners by its external resemblance to copper ores (German Kupfer - copper, Nickel - mountain spirit, allegedly slipping waste rock to miners instead of ore). Since the mid-18th century, Nickel has been used only as a component of alloys similar in appearance to silver. The widespread development of the nickel industry at the end of the 19th century was associated with the discovery of large deposits of nickel ores in New Caledonia and Canada and the discovery of its “ennobling” effect on the properties of steels.

Distribution of Nickel in nature. Nickel is an element of the earth's depths (in ultrabasic rocks of the mantle it is 0.2% by mass). There is a hypothesis that the earth's core consists of nickel iron; Accordingly, the average Nickel content in the soil as a whole is estimated to be about 3%. In the earth's crust, where Nickel is 5.8·10 -3%, it also gravitates towards the deeper, so-called basalt shell. Ni in the earth's crust is a satellite of Fe and Mg, which is explained by the similarity of their valence (II) and ionic radii; Nickel is included in divalent iron and magnesium minerals as an isomorphic impurity. Nickel's own minerals are known to be 53; most of them were formed at high temperatures and pressures, during the solidification of magma or from hot aqueous solutions. Nickel deposits are associated with processes in magma and weathering crust. Industrial Nickel deposits (sulfide ores) are usually composed of Nickel and copper minerals. On the earth's surface, in the biosphere, Nickel is a relatively weak migrant. There is relatively little of it in surface waters and living matter. In areas where ultramafic rocks predominate, the soil and plants are enriched in nickel.

Physical properties of Nickel. Under normal conditions, Nickel exists in the form of a β-modification, which has a face-centered cubic lattice (a = 3.5236Å). But Nickel, subjected to cathode sputtering in an H 2 atmosphere, forms an α-modification having a hexagonal lattice of close packing (a = 2.65 Å, c = 4.32 Å), which transforms into a cubic lattice when heated above 200 °C. Compact cubic Nickel has a density of 8.9 g/cm 3 (20 °C), atomic radius 1.24 Å, ionic radii: Ni 2+ 0.79 Å, Ni 3+ 0.72 Å; t pl 1453 °C; boiling temperature about 3000 °C; specific heat capacity at 20°C 0.440 kJ/(kg K); temperature coefficient of linear expansion 13.3·10 -6 (0-100 °C); thermal conductivity at 25°C 90.1 W/(m K); also at 500 °C 60.01 W/(m K). Specific electrical resistivity at 20°C 68.4 nom m, i.e. 6.84 μΩ cm; temperature coefficient of electrical resistance 6.8·10 -3 (0-100 °C). Nickel is a malleable and malleable metal; it can be used to make very thin sheets and tubes. Tensile strength 400-500 MN/m2 (i.e. 40-50 kgf/mm2); elastic limit 80 Mn/m2, yield strength 120 Mn/m2; relative elongation 40%; modulus of normal elasticity 205 Gn/m2; Brinell hardness 600-800 Mn/m2. In the temperature range from 0 to 631 K (the upper limit corresponds to the Curie point) Nickel is ferromagnetic. Ferromagnetism of Nickel is due to the structural features of the outer electron shells (3d 8 4s 2) of its atoms. Nickel, together with Fe (3d 6 4s 2) and Co (3d 7 4s 2), also ferromagnets, belongs to elements with an unfinished 3d electron shell (transition 3d metals). The electrons of the unfinished shell create an uncompensated spin magnetic moment, the effective value of which for Nickel atoms is 6 μ B, where μ B is the Bohr magneton. The positive value of the exchange interaction in Nickel crystals leads to a parallel orientation of atomic magnetic moments, that is, to ferromagnetism. For the same reason, alloys and a number of Nickel compounds (oxides, halides, and others) are magnetically ordered (have a ferro-, or less commonly, ferrimagnetic structure). Nickel is part of the most important magnetic materials and alloys with a minimum coefficient of thermal expansion (permalloy, monel metal, invar and others).

Chemical properties of Nickel. Chemically, Ni is similar to Fe and Co, but also to Cu and noble metals. In compounds it exhibits variable valence (most often 2-valentene). Nickel is a medium activity metal. Absorbs (especially in a finely crushed state) large amounts of gases (H 2, CO and others); Nickel saturation with gases worsens its mechanical properties. Reaction with oxygen begins at 500 °C; In a finely dispersed state, Nickel is pyrophoric and spontaneously ignites in air. Of the oxides, the most important is NiO - greenish crystals, practically insoluble in water (mineral bunsenite). The hydroxide precipitates from solutions of nickel salts when alkalis are added in the form of a voluminous apple-green precipitate. When heated, Nickel combines with halogens to form NiX 2 . Burning in sulfur vapor, it produces sulfide, similar in composition to Ni 3 S 2. NiS monosulfide can be prepared by heating NiO with sulfur.

Nickel does not react with nitrogen even at high temperatures (up to 1400 °C). The solubility of nitrogen in solid Nickel is approximately 0.07% by weight (at 445 °C). Ni3N nitride can be prepared by passing NH3 over NiF2, NiBr2 or metal powder at 445 °C. Under the influence of phosphorus vapor at high temperatures, phosphide Ni 3 P 2 is formed in the form of a gray mass. In the Ni-As system, the existence of three arsenides has been established: Ni 5 As 2, Ni 3 As (maucherite mineral) and NiAs. Many metallides have a nickel-arsenide type structure (in which As atoms form a dense hexagonal packing, all octahedral voids of which are occupied by Ni atoms). Unstable Ni 3 C carbide can be obtained by slow (hundreds of hours) carburization (cementation) of Nickel powder in a CO atmosphere at 300 °C. In the liquid state, Nickel dissolves a noticeable amount of C, which precipitates during cooling in the form of graphite. When graphite is released, Nickel loses its malleability and ability to be processed under pressure.

In the voltage series, Ni is to the right of Fe (their normal potentials are -0.44 V and -0.24 V, respectively) and therefore dissolves more slowly than Fe in dilute acids. Nickel is resistant to water. Organic acids act on Nickel only after prolonged contact with it. Sulfuric and hydrochloric acids slowly dissolve Nickel; diluted nitrogen - very easy; concentrated HNO 3 passivates Nickel, but to a lesser extent than iron.

When interacting with acids, salts of 2-valent Ni are formed. Almost all Ni(II) salts and strong acids are highly soluble in water; their solutions have an acidic reaction due to hydrolysis. Salts of relatively weak acids such as carbonic and phosphoric acids are sparingly soluble. Most Nickel salts decompose when heated (600-800 °C). One of the most commonly used salts, NiSO 4 sulfate, crystallizes from solutions in the form of emerald green crystals of NiSO 4 ·7H 2 O - nickel sulfate. Strong alkalis do not affect Nickel, but it dissolves in ammonia solutions in the presence of (NH 4) 2 CO 3 with the formation of soluble ammonia, colored intense blue; Most of them are characterized by the presence of complexes 2+ and . Hydrometallurgical methods for extracting Nickel from ores are based on the selective formation of ammonia. NaOCl and NaOBr are precipitated from solutions of Ni (II) salts, Ni(OH) hydroxide 3 is black. In complex compounds, Ni, unlike Co, is usually 2-valent. The complex compound of Ni with dimethylglyoxime (C 4 H 7 O 2 N) 2 Ni is used for the analytical determination of Ni.

At elevated temperatures, Nickel interacts with nitrogen oxides, SO 2 and NH 3. When CO acts on its finely ground powder upon heating, carbonyl Ni(CO) 4 is formed. Thermal dissociation of carbonyl produces the purest Nickel.

Receiving Nickel. About 80% of Nickel from its total production is obtained from sulfide copper-nickel ores. After selective enrichment by flotation, copper, nickel and pyrrhotite concentrates are separated from the ore. Nickel ore concentrate mixed with fluxes is smelted in electric shafts or reverberatory furnaces to separate waste rock and extract Nickel into a sulfide melt (matte) containing 10-15% Ni. Typically, electric smelting is preceded by partial oxidative roasting and agglomeration of the concentrate. Along with Ni, part of Fe, Co and almost all of Cu and noble metals go into matte. After Fe is separated by oxidation (by blowing liquid matte in converters), an alloy of Cu and Ni sulfides is obtained - matte, which is slowly cooled, finely ground and sent to flotation to separate Cu and Ni. The nickel concentrate is fired in a fluidized bed to NiO. The metal is obtained by reducing NiO in electric arc furnaces. Anodes are cast from rough Nickel and refined electrolytically. The impurity content in electrolytic Nickel (grade 110) is 0.01%.

To separate Cu and Ni, the so-called carbonyl process is also used, based on the reversibility of the reaction: Ni + 4CO = Ni(CO) 4. The production of carbonyl is carried out at 100-200 atm and at 200-250 °C, and its decomposition is carried out without access of air at atm. pressure and about 200 °C. The decomposition of Ni(CO) 4 is also used for the production of nickel coatings and the manufacture of various products (decomposition on a heated matrix).

In modern “autogenous” processes, smelting is carried out using the heat released during the oxidation of sulfides with oxygen-enriched air. This makes it possible to eliminate carbonaceous fuels, obtain gases rich in SO 2 suitable for the production of sulfuric acid or elemental sulfur, and also dramatically increase the efficiency of the process. The most complete and promising is the oxidation of liquid sulfides. Processes based on the treatment of nickel concentrates with solutions of acids or ammonia in the presence of oxygen at elevated temperatures and pressure (autoclave processes) are becoming increasingly common. Typically, Nickel is transferred into solution, from which it is isolated in the form of a rich sulfide concentrate or metal powder (by reduction with hydrogen under pressure).

From silicate (oxidized) ores, Nickel can also be concentrated in matte by introducing fluxes - gypsum or pyrite - into the smelting charge. Reduction-sulfidation smelting is usually carried out in shaft furnaces; the resulting matte contains 16-20% Ni, 16-18% S, the rest is Fe. The technology for extracting Nickel from matte is similar to that described above, except that the Cu separation operation is often omitted. If the content of Co in oxidized ores is low, it is advisable to subject them to reduction smelting to produce ferronickel, which is used for steel production. To extract Nickel from oxidized ores, hydrometallurgical methods are also used - ammonia leaching of pre-reduced ore, sulfuric acid autoclave leaching and others.

Use of Nickel. The overwhelming majority of Ni is used to produce alloys with other metals (Fe, Cr, Cu and others), characterized by high mechanical, anti-corrosion, magnetic or electrical and thermoelectric properties. In connection with the development of jet technology and the creation of gas turbine units, heat-resistant and heat-resistant chromium-nickel alloys are especially important. Nickel alloys are used in nuclear reactor structures.

This means that the amount of Nickel is consumed for the production of alkaline batteries and anti-corrosion coatings. Malleable Nickel in its pure form is used for the manufacture of sheets, pipes, etc. It is also used in the chemical industry for the manufacture of special chemical equipment and as a catalyst for many chemical processes. Nickel is a very scarce metal and, if possible, should be replaced by other, cheaper and more common materials.

The processing of Nickel ores is accompanied by the release of toxic gases containing SO 2 and often As 2 O 3. CO used in the refining of Nickel using the carbonyl method is very toxic; Ni(CO)4 is highly toxic and highly volatile. Its mixture with air explodes at 60 °C. Control measures: tightness of equipment, enhanced ventilation.

Nickel is an essential trace element in the body. Its average content in plants is 5.0·10 -5% of raw matter, in the body of terrestrial animals 1.0·10 -6%, in marine animals - 1.6·10 -4%. In the animal body, Nickel is found in the liver, skin and endocrine glands; accumulates in keratinized tissues (especially feathers). It has been established that Nickel activates the enzyme arginase and affects oxidative processes; in plants it takes part in a number of enzymatic reactions (carboxylation, hydrolysis of peptide bonds and others). On Nickel-enriched soils, its content in plants can increase 30 times or more, which leads to endemic diseases (in plants - ugly forms, in animals - eye diseases associated with increased accumulation of Nickel in the cornea: keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis).

Position in the periodic table:

Nickel is an element of the tenth group, the fourth period of the periodic table of chemical elements D.I. Mendeleev, with atomic number 28. Denoted by the symbol Ni (lat. Niccolum).

Atomic structure:

Configuration of the outer electron shells of the atom 3s23p63d84s2; ionization energy Ni0 3048-4.jpgNi+ 3048-5.jpgNi2+3048-6.jpgNi3+ 7.634, 18.153 and 35.17 eV; Pauling electronegativity 1.80; atomic radius 0.124 nm, ionic radius (coordination numbers are indicated in parentheses) Ni2+ 0.069 nm (4), 0.077 nm (5), 0.083 nm (6)

Oxidation states: Forms compounds most often in the oxidation state +2 (valency II), less often in the oxidation state +3 (valence III) and very rarely in the oxidation states +1 and +4 (valency I and IV, respectively).

Nickel is a simple substance

Distribution in nature:

Nickel is quite common in nature - its content in the earth's crust is approx. 0.01%(mass). It is found in the earth's crust only in bound form; iron meteorites contain native nickel (up to 8%). Its content in ultramafic rocks is approximately 200 times higher than in acidic rocks (1.2 kg/t and 8 g/t). In ultramafic rocks, the predominant amount of nickel is associated with olivines containing 0.13 - 0.41% Ni. It isomorphically replaces iron and magnesium. A small portion of nickel is present in the form of sulfides. Nickel exhibits siderophilic and chalcophilic properties. With an increased content of sulfur in the magma, nickel sulfides appear along with copper, cobalt, iron and platinoids. In the hydrothermal process, together with cobalt, arsenic and sulfur and sometimes with bismuth, uranium and silver, nickel forms increased concentrations in the form of nickel arsenides and sulfides. Nickel is commonly found in sulfide and arsenic-bearing copper-nickel ores.

• - nickel (red nickel pyrite, cupfernickel) NiAs,
• - chloantite (white nickel pyrite) (Ni, Co, Fe) As2,
• - garnierite (Mg, Ni)6(Si4O11)(OH)6*H2O and other silicates,
• - magnetic pyrite (Fe, Ni, Cu) S,
• - arsenic-nickel luster (gersdorffite) NiAsS,
• - pentlandite (Fe, Ni) 9S8.

Much is already known about nickel in organisms. It has been established, for example, that its content in human blood changes with age, that in animals the amount of nickel in the body is increased, and finally, that there are some plants and microorganisms - “concentrators” of nickel, containing thousands and even hundreds of thousands of times more nickel, than the environment.

Discovery history:

Nickel (English, French and German Nickel) was discovered in 1751. However, long before that, Saxon miners were well aware of the ore, which looked like copper and was used in glass making to color glass green. All attempts to obtain copper from this ore were unsuccessful, and therefore at the end of the 17th century. The ore was named Kupfernickel, which roughly means “Copper Devil.” This ore (red nickel pyrite NiAs) was studied by the Swedish mineralogist Kronstedt in 1751. He managed to obtain green oxide and, by reducing the latter, a new metal called nickel. When Bergman obtained the metal in a purer form, he found that the metal's properties were similar to iron; Nickel has been studied in more detail by many chemists, starting with Proust. Nikkel is a dirty word in the miners' language. It was formed from a corruption of Nicolaus, a generic word that had several meanings. But mainly the word Nicolaus served to characterize two-faced people; in addition, it meant “mischievous little spirit”, “deceptive loafer”, etc. In Russian literature of the early 19th century. the names Nikolan (Scherer, 1808), Nikolan (Zakharov, 1810), nicol and nickel (Dvigubsky, 1824) were used

Physical properties:

Nickel is a malleable and ductile metal. It has a face-centered cubic crystal lattice (parameter = 0.35238 nm). Melting point 1455°C, boiling point about 2900°C, density 8.90 kg/dm3. Nickel is ferromagnetic, the Curie point is about 358°C.

Electrical resistivity 0.0684 μOhm m.

Coefficient of linear thermal expansion b=13.5?10?6 K?1 at 0 °C.

Coefficient of volumetric thermal expansion = 38--39?10?6 K?1.

Elastic modulus 196--210 GPa.

Chemical properties:

Nickel atoms have an external electron configuration of 3d84s2. The most stable oxidation state for nickel is Ni(II). Nickel forms compounds with oxidation states +1, +2, +3 and +4. At the same time, nickel compounds with an oxidation state of +4 are rare and unstable. Nickel oxide Ni2O3 is a strong oxidizing agent. Nickel is characterized by high corrosion resistance - stable in air, water, alkalis, and a number of acids. Chemical resistance is due to its tendency to passivation - the formation of a dense oxide film on its surface, which has a protective effect. Nickel actively dissolves in dilute nitric acid: (3 Ni + 8 HNO_3 (30%) 3 Ni(NO_3)_2 + 2 NO + 4 H_2O) and in hot concentrated sulfuric acid: (Ni + 2 H_2SO_4 NiSO_4 + SO_2 + 2 H_2O)

With hydrochloric and dilute sulfuric acids, the reaction proceeds slowly. Concentrated nitric acid passivates nickel, but when heated, the reaction still occurs (the main product of nitrogen reduction is NO2). With carbon monoxide CO, nickel easily forms volatile and very toxic carbonyl Ni(CO)4. Fine nickel powder is pyrophoric (self-ignites in air) .Nickel burns only in powder form. Forms two oxides NiO and Ni2O3 and, accordingly, two hydroxides Ni(OH)2 and Ni(OH)3. The most important soluble nickel salts are acetate, chloride, nitrate and sulfate. Aqueous solutions of salts are usually colored green, while anhydrous salts are yellow or brownish-yellow. Insoluble salts include oxalate and phosphate (green), three sulfides: NiS (black), Ni3S2 (yellowish-bronze) and Ni3S4 (silver-white). Nickel also forms numerous coordination and complex compounds. For example, nickel dimethylglyoximate Ni(C4H6N2O2)2, which gives a clear red color in an acidic environment, is widely used in qualitative analysis for the detection of nickel. An aqueous solution of nickel sulfate is green in color. Aqueous solutions of nickel(II) salts contain hexaaquanickel(II) 2+ ion.

Receipt:

The total reserves of nickel in ores at the beginning of 1998 are estimated at 135 million tons, including reliable reserves of 49 million tons. The main nickel ores - nickel (kupfernickel) NiAs, millerite NiS, pentlandite (FeNi)9S8 - also contain arsenic, iron and sulfur; igneous pyrrhotite also contains pentlandite inclusions. Other ores from which Ni is also mined contain impurities of Co, Cu, Fe and Mg. Nickel is sometimes the main product of the refining process, but more often it is obtained as a by-product in other metal processes. Of the reliable reserves, according to various sources, from 40 to 66% of nickel is in “oxidized nickel ores” (ONR), 33% in sulfide ores, 0.7% in others. As of 1997, the share of nickel produced by OHP processing was about 40% of global production. In industrial conditions, OHP is divided into two types: magnesium and ferruginous. Refractory magnesium ores, as a rule, are subjected to electrosmelting into ferronickel (5-50% Ni + Co, depending on the composition of the raw materials and technological features). The most ferrous - laterite ores are processed by hydrometallurgical methods using ammonia-carbonate leaching or sulfuric acid autoclave leaching . Depending on the composition of the raw materials and the technological schemes used, the final products of these technologies are: nickel oxide (76-90% Ni), sinter (89% Ni), sulfide concentrates of various compositions, as well as metal electrolytic nickel, nickel powders and cobalt. Less ferrous - nontronite ores are smelted into matte. At full-cycle enterprises, the further processing scheme includes conversion, matte firing, and electric smelting of nickel oxide to produce metallic nickel. Along the way, the recovered cobalt is released in the form of metal and/or salts. Another source of nickel: in the coal ash of South Wales in England - up to 78 kg of nickel per ton. The increased nickel content in some coals, oils, and shale indicates the possibility of nickel concentration in fossil organic matter. The reasons for this phenomenon have not yet been clarified.

Application:

Nickel is the basis of most superalloys - heat-resistant materials used in the aerospace industry for power plant parts. Monel metal (65 -- 67% Ni + 30 -- 32% Cu + 1% Mn), heat resistant up to 500 °C, very corrosion resistant; white gold (for example, 585 standard contains 58.5% gold and an alloy (ligature) of silver and nickel (or palladium)); nichrome, an alloy of nickel and chromium (60% Ni + 40% Cr); permalloy (76% Ni + 17% Fe + 5% Cu + 2% Cr), has high magnetic susceptibility with very low hysteresis losses; invar (65% Fe + 35% Ni), almost does not expand when heated; In addition, nickel alloys include nickel and chromium-nickel steels, nickel silver and various resistance alloys such as constantan, nickel and manganin. Nickel is present as a component of a number of stainless steels.

Chemical Technology.

In many chemical technological processes, Raney nickel is used as a catalyst.

Radiation technologies.

The nuclide 63Ni, which emits β-particles, has a half-life of 100.1 years and is used in krytrons, as well as electron capture detectors (ECDs) in gas chromatography.

Medicine.

Used in the manufacture of bracket systems (titanium nickelide).

Prosthetics.

Coinage.

Nickel is widely used in the production of coins in many countries. In the United States, the 5-cent coin is colloquially known as the nickel.

Nickel is an element of group 10 of the D.I. table. Mendeleev. Known relatively recently, also recently used in industry. Nickel got its name from the name of the evil gnome, who instead threw the mineral nickel, which includes nickel and arsenic, to the miners. In those ancient times they did not know how to use nickel, so the “fake” metal began to be called “mischief” from the German Nickel.

And today we will look at the physical and chemical properties and uses of nickel, give it a general description, and study nickel alloys and grades.

It is a transition metal, that is, it exhibits both acidic and alkaline properties. It has a silvery-white luster, ductile, malleable, but hard. The molecular weight is small - 28, so it is classified as a light substance.

This video will tell you about the features of nickel as a metal:

Concept and features

From a chemical point of view, nickel is a very interesting and unusual metal. On the one hand, it is able to react with both acids and alkalis, but on the other hand, it is chemically inert and even refuses to react with concentrated alkalis and acids. Moreover, this property is so pronounced that nickel is used in the manufacture of various acid-resistant equipment and tanks for alkalis.

The metal is smelted and then used in the form of rods, sheets, and so on. And in this state it exhibits the usual metallic properties of a low-active substance. But nickel converted into a very fine powder becomes pyrophoric and is capable of self-ignition in air.

The secret is that an ordinary substance in air, like aluminum, for example, is covered with an oxide film, and this film acts as a very strong protective layer.

This quality determines one of the oldest uses of metal - nickel plating, that is, applying the thinnest layer of nickel to the surface of objects. This layer completely protects steel, cast iron, magnesium, aluminum and so on from corrosion.

Products made from pure nickel are rare and are used only in particularly critical areas. Its use in industry is due to another unique quality: in the alloy, nickel imparts to the material the same excellent corrosion resistance that it itself possesses. Most stainless and structural steels include nickel as an alloying component. It is this that ensures the strength of steel and its durability.

Nickel-based alloys are very diverse and have remarkable properties: strength, heat resistance, the ability to withstand high force loads at high temperatures, wear resistance, insensitivity to chemically aggressive substances, and so on. Of the total volume of the extracted substance, about 9% is used in its pure form. Another 7% is spent on nickel plating, and the rest is spent on producing alloys.

Nickel forms the iron triad with iron and cobalt. The group also includes platinum - osmium, platinum, rhodium. However, despite their relative proximity, the properties of metals differ markedly. In terms of strength, nickel is not much inferior to iron, it has even a higher density, but unlike the latter it is very resistant to corrosion, while iron quickly corrodes in air, and especially when in contact with water.

Compared to platinum metals, nickel is much lighter, much cheaper and much more active: platinum, osmium and others are noble metals that have a positive electrode potential and are extremely inert.

Advantages and disadvantages

Almost all the properties of nickel in relation to the national economy are advantages. The only disadvantage of metal is its presence in nature. Nickel is considered a common element, but is found only in a bound form. Native nickel falls to earth only as part of meteorites. Accordingly, metal is obtained using more expensive technologies.

• Nickel has good strength and hardness, while maintaining the ability to forge and high toughness: it can be used to produce the thinnest sheets and rods.
• The metal has excellent corrosion resistance. Moreover, it transfers this quality to alloys, which it contains as an alloying element.
• Nickel-based alloys are very diverse and have exceptional qualities. Thus, heat-resistant iron-nickel alloys are used in the manufacture of parts of nuclear reactors and jet engines. To date, about 3,000 different nickel alloys have been described and used.
• Nickel coating is still actively used not only in instrument and machine tool manufacturing, but also in everyday life and in construction. Nickel-plated dishes, cutlery, accessories, etc. are not only aesthetically attractive, but also absolutely hygienic, harmless and extremely durable. The inertness and hygiene of the metal determines its use in the food industry.
• Nickel is a ferromagnet, that is, a substance prone to spontaneous magnetization. This property allows the metal to be used to produce permanent magnets.
• The metal is relatively cheap to obtain and has good electrical conductivity characteristics. Nickel replaces expensive silver or in the production of batteries.

The structure and chemical composition of nickel are discussed below.

Structure and composition

Nickel, like other pure metals, has a homogeneous, well-ordered structure, which provides these substances with the ability to conduct current. However, the phase composition of the material can be different, which affects its properties.

• Under normal conditions, we are dealing with the β-modification of nickel. It is characterized by a face-centered cubic lattice and determines the usual properties of metal - malleability, ductility, machinability, ferromagnetism, and so on.
• There is also another type of material. Nickel subjected to cathode sputtering in a hydrogen atmosphere does not react, but also changes its structure, turning into the α-modification. The latter has a dense hexagonal lattice. When heated to 200 C, the α-phase transforms into the β-phase. In industry, they deal with the β-modification of nickel.

This video will tell you how to convert a nickel-cadmium battery to a lithium-ion battery yourself:

Properties and characteristics

The characteristics of the β-phase, as the main one, are of greater interest, since the very existence of the α-phase is limited. The properties of the metal are:

• density at normal temperature – 8.9 g/cu. cm;
• melting point – 1453 C;
• boiling point – 3000 C;
• very low coefficient of thermal expansion – 13.5∙10 −6 K −1
• elastic modulus – 196–210 GPa;
• The elastic limit is 80 MN/sq. m;
• yield strength – 120 MN/sq. m:
• tensile limit 40–50 kgf/sq. mm;
• specific heat capacity of the substance – 0.440 kJ/(kg K);
• thermal conductivity – 90.1 W/(m K);
• specific electrical resistance – 0.0684 µOhm∙m.

Nickel is ferromagnetic, its Curie point is 358 C.

We will talk about the manufacture and manufacturer of nickel alloys below.

Production

Nickel is considered quite common - 13th among metals. However, its distribution is somewhat specific. It is not for nothing that the metal is called an element of the earth’s depths, since in ultramafic rocks it is 200 times more abundant than in acidic rocks. According to one common theory, the earth's core consists of nickel iron.

Native nickel does not occur on Earth. In bound form, it is present in copper-nickel ores - arsenic-containing and sulfide. This is nickel - red nickel pyrite, the same one that miners took for pyrite, chloantite - white nickel pyrite, garnierite, copper pyrite, and so on.

The feedstock is most often sulfide ore, including both nickel and nickel, so additional steps for separating the metals are included.

• Sulfide ores usually contain a lot of moisture and clay substances. To get rid of them, the ore is crushed, dried and briquetted. If the sulfur content in the ore is too high, it is roasted.
• Matte smelting is carried out in shaft or reverberatory furnaces. An alloy of nickel and iron sulfide is obtained, including a small amount of copper.
• Separation of nickel and copper.
• Roasting of nickel concentrate, reduction smelting and refining by electrolysis.

The method for obtaining nickel from oxidized ore looks somewhat different.

• The ore is subjected to sulfidizing smelting with partial reduction.
• Receive matte - the molten matte is blown with air in converters.
• Feinstein is fired and cleared of copper;
• Then the nickel is reduced or the burnt nickel is melted into ferronickel.

How much does 1 kg of nickel cost? Prices for such metal are largely determined by the success of the exploitation of deposits. Thus, in 2013, China increased the production of nickel-containing pig iron, which led to a noticeable drop in metal prices. In autumn 2016, the cost of a ton of metal was $10,045.

Application area

Nickel itself is rarely used. The area is much wider.

• In everyday life, people most often come across nickel-plated products - taps, mixers, furniture fittings. Metal parts of furniture are often coated with a layer of silvery, non-tarnishing metal. The same goes for cutlery and crockery.
• Another known use is white gold. It consists of gold of a certain standard and a nickel alloy.
• Nickel cathodes are widely used in electrical engineering. Numerous batteries are nickel-cadmium. Nickel, iron-nickel and so on compete with the battery and are much safer.

However, the main consumer of nickel is non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy: 67% of all mined metal is used to produce stainless steels. And 17% - for the production of other, non-iron alloys.

• Structural and stainless steel are used literally everywhere: construction and mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and pipeline manufacturing, instrument making and the construction of load-bearing frames. It is nickel that gives steels their resistance to corrosion.
• Nickel-copper alloys are most often used in the manufacture of acid-resistant equipment and various parts that must operate in aggressive chemical environments.
• Nickel and chromium alloys are famous for their heat resistance and resistance to alkalis and acids. They are used in furnaces, nuclear reactors, engines, and so on.
• Alloys of nickel, chromium and iron, in addition, remain resistant to high loads at very high temperatures - up to 900 C. This is an indispensable material for gas turbines.

Nickel is a metal with . Durable, malleable, resistant to acids and alkalis and capable of imparting these properties to almost any alloy. It's no surprise that nickel is used so widely.

A simple and reliable way to restore nickel-cadmium batteries is discussed in the video below:

(coordination numbers are indicated in parentheses) Ni 2+ 0.069 nm (4), 0.077 nm (5), 0.083 nm (6).

The average nickel content in the earth's crust is 8-10 -3% by mass, in ocean water 0.002 mg/l. Known approx. 50 nickel minerals, the most important of which are: pentlandite (Fe,Ni) 9 S 8, millerite NiS, garnierite (Ni, Mg) 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 10. 4H 2 O, revdinskite (non-puite) (Ni, Mg) 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4, nickel NiAs, annabergite Ni 3 (AsO 4) 2 8H 2 O. Nickel is mainly mined from sulfide copper-nickel ores (Canada, Australia, South Africa) and from silicate-oxidized ores (New Caledonia, Cuba, Philippines, Indonesia, etc.). World onshore nickel reserves are estimated at 70 million tons.

Properties. Nickel is a silvery-white metal. Crystallic. face-centered lattice cubic, a = 0.35238 nm, z = 4, space. group RT3t. T. pl. 1455 °C. t. bale 2900 °C; raft 8.90 g/cm3; C 0 p 26.l J/(mol K); DH 0 pl 17.5 kJ/mol, DH 0 isp 370 kJ/mol; S 0 298 29.9 JDmol K); level of temperature dependence of vapor pressure for solid nickel lgp(hPa) = 13.369-23013/T+0.520lgT+0.395T (298-1728K), for liquid lgp(hPa)=11.742-20830/T+ 0.618 lgT (1728-3170 K); temperature coefficient linear expansion 13.5. 10 -6 K -1 (273-373 K); thermal conductivity 94.1 W/(m x x K) at 273 K, 90.9 W/(m K) at 298 K; g 1.74 N/m (1520 °C); r 7.5 10 -8 Ohm m, temperature coefficient. r 6.75. 10 -3 K -1 (298-398 K); ferromagnet, Curie point 631 K. Elastic modulus 196-210 GPa; s growth 280-720 MPa; relates elongation 40-50%; Brinell hardness (annealed) 700-1000 MPa. Pure nickel is a very ductile metal, can be processed well in cold and hot conditions, can be rolled, drawn, and forged.

N nickel is chemically inactive, but fine powder obtained by the reduction of nickel compounds with hydrogen at low temperatures is pyrophoric. The standard electrode potential Ni 0 /Ni 2+ is 0.23 V. At normal temperatures, nickel in air is covered with a thin protective film of nickel oxide. Not interaction. with water and air moisture. When heated Nickel oxidation from the surface begins at ~ 800 °C. Nickel reacts very slowly with hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, and hydrofluoric acids. Vinegar and other org. have practically no effect on it. to-you, especially in the absence of air. Reacts well with dil. HNO3, conc. HNO 3 is passivated. Solutions and melts of alkalis and alkali metal carbonates, as well as liquid NH 3, do not affect nickel. Aqueous solutions NH 3 present. air correlate nickel.

N ickel in a dispersed state has great catalytic properties. activity in areas of hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, oxidation, isomerization, condensation. They use either skeletal nickel (Raney nickel), obtained by alloying with Al or Si with the last. leaching with alkali, or nickel on a carrier.

N ickel absorbs H 2 and forms solid solutions with it. NiH 2 hydrides (stable below 0°C) and the more stable NiH were obtained indirectly. Nitrogen is almost not absorbed by nickel up to 1400 °C, the pH value of N 2 in the metal is 0.07% at 450 °C. Compact nickel does not react with NH 3; dispersed nickel forms Ni 3 N nitride with it at 300-450 °C.

Molten nickel dissolves C to form carbide Ni 3 C, which decomposes during crystallization of the melt, releasing graphite; Ni 3 C in the form of a gray-black powder (decomposes at ~ 450 ° C) is obtained by carburizing nickel in a CO atmosphere at 250-400 ° C. Dispersed nickel with CO gives volatile nickel tetracarbonyl Ni(CO) 4 . When alloyed with Si, it forms silica; Ni 5 Si 2, Ni 2 Si and NiSi melt congruently, respectively. at 1282, 1318 and 992 °C, Ni 3 Si and NiSi 2 - incongruent, respectively. at 1165 and 1125°C, Ni 3 Si 2 decomposes without melting at 845°C. When fused with B it gives borides: Ni 3 B (mp 1175°C), Ni 2 B (1240°C), Ni 3 B 2 (1163°C), Ni 4 B 3 (1580 °C), NiB 12 (2320 °C), NiB (decomposes at 1600 °C). With Se vapor, nickel forms selenides: NiSe (mp 980 °C), Ni 3 Se 2 and NiSe 2 (decompose at 800 and 850 ° C, respectively), Ni 6 Se 5 and Ni 21 Se 20 (exist only in the solid state). When nickel is alloyed with Te, tellurides are obtained: NiTe and NiTe 2 (apparently a wide region of solid solutions is formed between them), etc.

Arsenate Ni 3 (AsO 4) 2. 8H2O-green crystals; pH value in water 0.022%; to-tami decomposes; above 200 °C it dehydrates, at ~ 1000 °C it decomposes; catalyst for producing solid soap.

Silicate Ni 2 SiO 4 - light green crystals with a rhombic pattern. grate; dense 4.85 g/cm3; decomposes without melting at 1545°C; insoluble in water; miner K-tami slowly decomposes when heated. Aluminate NiAl 2 O 4 (nickel spinel) - blue crystals with cubic. grate; m.p. 2110°C; dense 4.50 g/cm3; not sol. in water ; slowly decomposes to-tami; hydrogenation catalyst.

The most important complex connections. nickel-a m m i n s. Naib. Characteristic are hexaammines and aquatetrammines with cations, respectively. 2+ and 2+. These are blue or violet crystals. in-va, usually sol. in water, in solutions of a bright blue color; when the solutions are boiled and when exposed to the solution, they decompose; are formed in solutions during ammonia processing of nickel and cobalt ores.

In the Ni(III) and Ni(IV) complexes, the coordination the number of nickel is 6. Examples are violet K 3 and red K 2, formed by the action of F 2 on a mixture of NiCl 2 and KCl; strong oxidizing agents. Of other types, salts of hetero-polyacids are known, for example. (NH 4) 6 H 7. 5H 2 O, a large number of intra-complex compounds. Ni(II). See also Organo-nickel compounds.

Receipt. The ores are processed by pyro- and hydro-steel-lurgic. way. For silicate-oxidized ores (cannot be enriched), either reducer is used. smelting to produce ferronickel, which is then subjected to purging in a converter for the purpose of refining and enrichment, or smelting for matte with sulfur-containing additives (FeS 2 or CaSO 4). The resulting matte is blown in a converter to remove Fe, and then crushed and fired to reduce NiO from the resulting material. Metallic nickel is obtained by smelting. Nickel concentrates obtained from the beneficiation of sulfide ores are smelted into matte with the last. purging in the converter. From the copper-nickel matte, after its slow cooling by flotation, Ni 3 S 2 concentrate is isolated, which, similar to mattes from oxidized ores, is fired and reduced.

One of the ways of hydroprocessing of oxidized ores is the reduction of ore with generator gas or a mixture of H 2 and N 2 with subsequent. leaching with NH 3 and CO 2 solution with air blowing. The solution is purified from Co with ammonium sulfide. During the decomposition of the solution with the distillation of NH 3, nickel hydroxocarbonate is precipitated, which is either calcined and reduced from the resulting NiO. Nickel is obtained by smelting, or by re-dissolving. in the NH 3 solution and after distilling NH 3 from the pulp, nickel is obtained by reducing H 2. Dr. way - leaching of oxidized ore with sulfuric acid in an autoclave. From the resulting solution, after its purification and neutralization, nickel is precipitated with hydrogen sulfide under pressure and the resulting NiS concentrate is processed like matte.

Hydroprocessing of nickel sulfide materials (concentrates, mattes) is reduced to autoclaved oxidation. leaching with either NH 3 solutions (at low Co content) or H 2 SO 4. From ammonia solutions after separation of CuS, nickel is precipitated with hydrogen under pressure. For Ni separation,Extraction of Co and Cu from ammonia solutions is also used. methods using, first of all, chelating extractants.

Autoclave oxidation leaching to produce sulfate solutions is used both for enriched materials (mattes) with the transfer of nickel and other metals into the solution, and for poor pyrrhotium Fe 7 S 8 concentrates. In the latter case, the predominant is oxidized. pyrrhotite, which makes it possible to isolate elemental S and sulfide concentrate, which is further smelted into nickel matte.