Chemical name: Nickel(II) nitrate hexahydrate
Synonyms: Nickel nitrate, Nickelous nitrate hexahydrate
CAS: 13478-00-7
Molecular formula: Ni(NO3)2·6H2O
Molecular weight: 290.79
Appearance: Green crystalline solid
Specification / COA:
| Item | Standard | COA |
| Ni(NO3)2·6H2O | ≥ 98.0% | 98.7% |
| Water insolubles | ≤ 0.01% | 0.0001% |
| Chloride (Cl) | ≤ 0.001% | 0.00014% |
| Sulfate (SO4) | ≤ 0.01% | 0.0065% |
| Sodium (Na) | ≤ 0.02% | 0.00033% |
| Magnesium (Mg) | ≤ 0.02% | 0.0002% |
| Potassium (K) | ≤ 0.005% | 0.0001% |
| Calcium (Ca) | ≤ 0.01% | 0.0001% |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.001% | 0.0001% |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.001% | 0.00029% |
| Cobalt (Co) | ≤ 0.01% | 0.0010% |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.005% | 0.00028% |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.01% | 0.00072% |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 0.005% | 0.00016% |
Usage:
- Electroplating bath component: Nickel nitrate is a primary nickel salt used in Watts-type and sulfamate nickel plating baths alongside nickel sulfate and nickel chloride. It supplies soluble nickel ions while the nitrate anion acts as an oxidising depolariser, improving anode dissolution and brightening the deposit. The high purity of this grade — Cl ≤ 0.001%, Fe ≤ 0.001%, Cu ≤ 0.005% — minimises bath contamination that would cause pitting, roughness, or dark deposits. Applications include decorative nickel plating on automotive trim, sanitary fittings, and consumer electronics, as well as functional engineering nickel coatings for wear and corrosion resistance.
- Electroless nickel plating: Used as the nickel source in autocatalytic (electroless) nickel baths for plating non-conductive substrates and complex geometries. The low Co (0.0010%) and Cu (0.00028%) impurity levels reduce side reactions that degrade bath stability and deposit uniformity, which is critical for precision PCB through-hole plating and hydraulic component coatings.
- Catalyst precursor — hydrogenation and reforming: Nickel nitrate serves as an impregnation precursor for supported nickel catalysts used in heterogeneous catalysis. Upon calcination at 300–500 °C, the nitrate decomposes cleanly to nickel oxide (NiO) with negligible residual anion contamination, avoiding sulphur or chloride poisoning of the active nickel sites. Resulting Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/SiO2 catalysts are deployed in steam methane reforming (SMR), methanation, edible oil hydrogenation, and fine chemical synthesis.
- Catalyst precursor — battery cathode materials: In the manufacture of lithium-ion battery cathode precursors such as NMC (LiNixMnyCozO2) and NCA (LiNixCoyAlzO2), nickel nitrate is used as a nickel source in co-precipitation or sol-gel synthesis routes where sulphate-free or chloride-free nickel supply is required. The low Na (0.00033%) and Mg (0.0002%) content reduces lattice defect density in the final cathode material.
- Surface treatment and chemical conversion coatings: Applied in nickel-based chemical conversion processes for aluminium and magnesium alloys to improve corrosion resistance and adhesion prior to painting or further plating. Also used in nickel acetate sealing baths for anodised aluminium components.
- Ceramic colourant and pigment intermediate: Nickel nitrate is calcined with other metal salts to produce nickel-containing ceramic pigments (nickel titanate yellow, nickel-doped spinel) used in industrial ceramics, porcelain enamels, and glass colouring.
Packing: 25 kg net per woven bag or drum. Custom packaging available on request.
Storage: Store in a cool (≤ 25 °C), dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, open flames, and incompatible reducing agents. Keep containers tightly sealed. Shelf life: 24 months from production date under recommended storage conditions.
Safety note: Nickel nitrate is an oxidising agent and a suspected carcinogen (nickel compounds). Handle with appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection, dust mask). Full SDS/MSDS provided with each shipment.
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