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Anhydrous nickel sulfate is a crystalline solid that is yellow-green. Hexahydrate (NiSO4.6H2O) s another form of nickel sulfate and it ranges in color from blue to emerald green, and a heptahydrate (NiSO4.7H2O), which is green. Depending on their previous exposure to moisture or circumstances, samples can contain varying amounts of water. All types are carcinogenic and mildly poisonous. All of them have a higher density than water. The threat to the environment is the most dangerous. To prevent it from spreading to the environment, immediate action should be done. It's used to manufacture additional nickel compounds, as well as printing and textile coloring.
Read Also: Decomposition Reaction
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Keyterms: Nickel, Crystalline solid, Hexahydrate, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, nickel oxide
Nickel Sulphate Definition
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Nickel sulfate is a crystalline inorganic chemical with a yellow, green, or blue hue that emits hazardous fumes when heated. Nickel sulfate is a chemical intermediary used to make other nickel compounds and is utilized in electroplating. This drug can induce severe dermatitis, skin allergies, and asthma-like symptoms, as well as impact the lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system. Nickel sulfate is a recognized carcinogen that has been linked to a higher incidence of lung and nasal malignancies. (NCI05). It is also called,
- Nickel (II) Sulphate,
- Nickel monosulphate,
- Nickelous Sulphate.
- Nickel Sulphate hexahydrate.
- Nickel (2+) Sulphate.
With laboratories, nickel sulfate can be made by dissolving nickel oxide in sulphuric acid. Nickel Sulphate Heptahydrate is produced as a result of the process. The crystalline Nickel Sulphate hexahydrate is obtained by heating the concentrated solution.
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Physical Properties of Nickel Sulfate
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- When it's anhydrous, it's a yellow solid; when it's heptahydrate, it's green-blue crystals; and when it's hexahydrate, it's blue crystals.
- It has no odor.
- It has a molecular mass of 154.75 g/mol.
- It weighs 3.68 g/cm3 and has a density of 3.68 g/cm3.
- It has a boiling point of 840 degrees Celsius.
- It has a melting point of more than 100 °C in anhydrous form and more than 53 °C in hexahydrate form.
- NiSO4(H2O)6 is the chemical formula in linear form.
- It is water and methanol soluble. At 0°C, solubility in water is 293 g/L.
- The CAS number for it is 7786-81-4.
- It is not suggested to taste it, despite its sweet, astringent flavor.
Chemical Properties of Nickel Sulfate
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- It is non-combustible.
- Alcohol and ether do not dissolve it.
- Strong acids are incompatible with it.
- It generates an acidic corrosive solution when dissolving in water. It produces sulfur oxide emissions when it corrodes.
- When it is dissolved in water and the solution is heated to decompose, nitrous oxide emissions are released. Nickel sulfate fumes are extremely poisonous.
- The pH value is 4.5 because the aqueous solution is acidic.
- Aqueous Nickel Sulphate loses water molecules when heated to 103°C. The anhydrous form decomposes to form sulfur trioxide and nickel oxide when heated to 848°C. The chemical formula is NiSO4 → NiO + SO3
- When nickel sulfate reacts with alkali metals or ammonium sulfates, it produces two salt by-products. These sulfates are identical.
- Sulphuric acid and Nickel Chloride are produced by reacting with hydrochloric acid. The chemical reaction is depicted below.
- NiSO4 + HCl → NiCl + HSO3
- It produces sodium sulfate and nickel hydroxide when it reacts with sodium hydroxide. The chemical formula is
- NiSO4 + NaOH → Ni(OH)2 + Na2SO4
Production of Nickel Sulphate
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- Nickel sulfate is typically made by dissolving nickel oxide in hot, dilute sulfuric acid. The following are the general steps involved in the procedure:
- Nickel is delivered in a sealed reactor, along with a sulphuric acid solution.
- The reactor is filled with oxygen.
- The temperature and pressure in the reactor are kept constant during this operation.
- The chemical process (oxidation) produces concentrated Nickel Sulphate solution in an enclosed environment.
- Further heating and increasing the pressure in the reactor results in the formation of blue crystalline Nickel Sulphate.
- Impurities are removed from the crystals by treating them with a diluted solution of Barium carbonate.
- This method is extensively used to produce Nickel Sulphate in large quantities.
Read More: Acid, Bases, and Salts
Uses of Nickel Sulphate
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Nickel sulfate is a commonly used chemical.
- As an electrolyte in metal surface finishing operations like plating and electrorefining.
- Many Nickel catalysts and compounds are made this way.
- As a flashing reducer on steel surfaces, providing a nickel covering to the surface.
- Brass and zinc can be blackened with this product.
- Metals, fabrics, and pottery are dyed and printed with it as a mordant.
- As a protective layer for a variety of metals.
- Dryers for protective shields are made in this factory.
- They are occasionally employed as a calibrant in magnetic susceptibility measurements.
Effects of Nickel Sulfate on Human Health
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- By inhaling or ingesting nickel sulfate, it can be incorporated into the human body. It concentrates in the lungs, intestines, kidneys, and liver once it is taken into the body.
- Nickel sulfate poisoning is caused by being exposed to it. Irritation of the skin, giddiness, lassitude, headache, myalgia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhagic gastritis, transient hyperbilirubinemia, and albuminuria are some of the gastrointestinal side effects. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Dyspnoea, Mild cyanosis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Chronic urticaria, Dermatitis.
Points To Remember
- The hydrated forms of nickel sulfate (NiSO4) exist in various states (where water molecules bond with ions in suspended substances). Depending on the degree of hydration, nickel sulfate crystals might be greenish-yellow, blue, or green.
- Nickel sulfate heptahydrate in the form of mineral moreosite occurs in nature.
- Nickel sulfate is a crystalline solid that is blue to blue-green. It has a sweet flavor to it (do not test).
- Strong acids are incompatible with nickel sulfate.
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Sample Questions
Ques: Is nickel sulfate toxic? (2 marks)
Ans: Nickel Sulfate is a Carcinogen, so use extreme caution while handling it. Nickel sulfate has been linked to male infertility and testicular damage. Contact with the skin and eyes might irritate and burn them. Nickel sulfate inhalation can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, resulting in cough, mucus, and shortness of breath.
Ques: What is nickel sulfate used for? (1 mark)
Ans: Nickel sulfate is widely used in nickel plating, as a catalyst raw material, as a mordant in dyeing and printing fabrics, for blackening zinc and brass, and in the creation of jewelry.
Ques: Where is Nickel sulfate hexahydrate found? (1 mark)
Ans: Nickel can be found in costume jewelry, earrings, watches and watch bands, denim buttons, needles, zippers, lighters, batteries, coins, keys, buckles, eyeglass frames, orthodontic, and orthopedic devices.
Ques: How is nickel sulfate made? (1 mark)
Ans: Nickel sulfate is produced by refining nickel-containing intermediate feed sources (e.g. mixed hydroxide precipitate or MHP, and crude nickel sulfates) into a high-quality crystal form by eliminating impurities contained in the intermediate feed sources.
Ques: What happens when NiSO4 is heated? (1 mark)
Ans: Water evaporation occurs as the temperature of the powder rises, and the complex gradually loses its color. The color of pure anhydrous NiSO4 is yellow, but if it is visible to the naked eye throughout the heating process, it becomes rather pale.
Ques: Is nickel in skincare products? (2 marks)
Ans: Nickel is commonly included in cosmetics, and some products, such as mascara and eye shadows, may induce or exacerbate ACD, especially in patients with eyelid involvement. The majority of hypersensitive individuals can safely use "nickel-free" cosmetics because they contain less than 1ppm of nickel.
Ques: What Are The Safety And Packaging Specifications While Handling NiSO4? (4 marks)
Ans: Toxic fumes and heat are produced during the treatment of Nickel Sulphate. It is harmful to one's health. It should be handled, packed, and sent with caution to avoid negative health effects. The following are the precautions to take when working with NiSO4 .
- Before handling NiSO4, proper training should be offered.
- The location where NiSO4 treatment and storage will take place should be identified and separated from other activities.
- It should not be dealt with or maintained near oxidizing agents because it is incompatible with them.
- When working with NiSO4, wear protective equipment such as masks, gloves, goggles, and aprons.
- Use a fire extinguisher and water sprays to keep containers cool if they catch fire.
Nickel sulfate should be stored and shipped in containers that are cold, well packed, and made of antioxidant material.
Ques: How To Dispose Of Nickel Sulphate Waste? (5 marks)
Ans: Nickel Sulphate cannot be disposed of in water drains since it is a hazardous chemical. To dispose of, the following methods are used:
- It can be destroyed by immersing it in a strong sodium dichromate and sulphuric acid solution. Nickel Sulphate takes one to two days to degrade. The residue is then flushed to the sewer with a huge volume of water.
- It can also be destroyed by interacting with nucleophiles like ammonia, thiosulphate, or hydroxyl ions. Before the treatment, dissolve Nickel Sulphate in ethanol to speed up the process.
- Nickel Sulphate is destroyed by mixing a saturated solution of potassium permanganate with acetone.
- NiSO4 is destroyed by potassium hydroxide dissolved in methanol.
- Nickel Sulphate is degraded using sodium dichromate and a sulphuric acid solution. Furthermore, the trash is dumped in a big body of water.
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