What is Nickel Carbonate?

Nickel Carbonate describes one or a mixture of inorganic compounds containing nickel and carbonate. From the industrial perspective, the most important nickel carbonate is basic nickel carbonate with the formula Ni4CO3(OH)6(H2O)4. Simpler carbonates, ones more likely encountered in the laboratory, are NiCO3 and its hexahydrate. All are paramagnetic green solid consisting of Ni2+ cations. The basic carbonate is an intermediate in the hydrometallurgical purification of nickel from its ores and is used in electroplating of Ni. Nickel carbonates are used in some ceramic applications and as precursors to catalysts.
Nickel Carbonates are hydrolyzed upon contact with by aqueous acids to give solutions containing the ion [Ni(H2O)6]2+, liberating water and carbon dioxide in the process. Calcining (heating to drive off CO2 and water) of these carbonates gives NiO, shown here with anhydrous nickel carbonate:NiCO3 → NiO + CO2
The nature of the resulting oxide depends on the nature of the precursor. The oxide obtained from the basic carbonate is often most useful for catalysis.
Basic nickel carbonate can be made by treating solutions of nickel sulfate with sodium carbonate, shown here for the basic carbonate:4 Ni2+ + Na2CO3 + 6 OH- + 4 H2O → Ni4CO3(OH)6(H2O)4 + 2 Na+
The hydrated carbonate has been prepared by electrolytic oxidation of nickel in the presence of carbon dioxide: Ni + O + CO2 + 6 H2O → NiCO3(H2O)4
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