Nickel(II) oxide
Nickel(II) oxide, also known as nickelous oxide, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is NiO. It contains nickel in its +2 oxidation state. It also contains oxide ions.
Properties
[change | change source]Nickel(II) oxide is a light green solid. It does not dissolve in water. Sometimes it is gray because all of the nickel is not in the +2 oxidation state. It reacts with acids to make nickel(II) salts. For example, it reacts with hydrochloric acid to make nickel(II) chloride. It does not react with bases easily.
Preparation
[change | change source]Nickel(II) oxide can be made by heating nickel powder in air at 400 °C (752 °F). This normally makes a black nickel oxide. It also can be made by reacting nickel with water at 1,000 °C (1,830 °F). The simplest way to make it is to heat nickel(II) hydroxide, nickel(II) carbonate, or nickel(II) nitrate.
Uses
[change | change source]It is used to make alloys. It is also used in ceramics. It is used to make other nickel compounds.
Safety
[change | change source]Nickel(II) oxide can irritate skin and make problems when breathed in.