What is Nickel

Nickel (pronunciation NICK-‘l ^[2]), represented by the chemical symbol or formula Ni ^[1], is a hard, ductile and malleable element belonging to the family of transition metals ^{[3, 5]}. Naturally occurring Ni is a mixture of 5 stable isotopes with mass numbers 58, 60, 61, 62 and 64 ^{[1, 3]}. Besides that, it has 23 synthetic isotopes with known half-lives ^[3]. It doesn’t react with water and oxygen (air) under normal and ambient conditions respectively ^[6].

Where Is It Found

Though the metal is occasionally found free in nature, it is principally found in its ores that are chiefly pyrrhotite and pentlandite (nickel-iron sulfides), millerite and garnierite. It is extracted from its minerals by roasting and reduction methods ^{[1, 3]}. A large amount of nickel reached the earth through meteorites that struck it ^[1].

History

Origin of Its Name: The name is the short form of the German ‘kupfernickel’ meaning either St. Nicholas’s copper or devil’s copper ^[1].

Who Discovered Nickel: Swedish chemist, Axel Fredrik Cronstedt ^{[1, 2]}.

When Was It Discovered: Its discovery year is 1751 ^[1].

How Was It Discovered

Cronstedt, while working in Stockholm in 1751, investigated a new mineral (that is now called nickeline) that was found in a mine at Los, Hälsingland in Sweden. He presumed that it contained copper but what he extracted was a new metal that he named and announced as nickel in 1754. However, many chemists were of the opinion that it was an alloy of arsenic, cobalt, copper and iron though, in reality, they were present only as trace impurities. Pure nickel could be produced and confirmed of its elemental nature only in 1775 by another Swedish chemist, Torbern Bergman ^[1].

Nickel Identification
Atomic Number	28 [1]
CAS Number	7440-02-0 [1]
Position in the periodic table	Group	Period	Block
	10 [1]	4 [1]	d [1]

Properties and Characteristics of Nickel

General Properties
Atomic mass		58.693  atomic mass units [1]
Atomic weight		58.693 [1]
Mass number		58 [7]
Molar mass/molecular weight		58.693 g/mol [8]
Physical Properties
Color/appearance		Silvery-white [3]
Luster		Yes [7]
Melting point/freezing point		1455°C, 2651°F [1]
Boiling point		2913°C, 5275°F [1]
Density		8.90 g cm-3 [1]
State of matter at room temperature (normal phase)		Solid [1]
Thermal Conductivity		90 W/(m K) [9]
Electrical Conductivity		1.43X107 S/m [10]
Specific heat capacity		0.440 J/g oC [11]
Specific gravity		8.9 [12]
Resistivity		6.99X10-8 ohm-m [10]
Hardness (Mohs scale)		638 MPa [13]
Yield strength (annealed)		110 MPa [14]
Chemical Properties
Oxidation state/Oxidation number		-1, +1, +2, +3, +4 [1]
Flammability		Yes (Ni powder) [15]
Magnetic Properties
Magnetic ordering	Ferromagnetic [4]

Atomic Data of Nickel (Element 28)

Nickel Uses

1. In making stainless steel and other alloys, alkaline batteries and coins ^[15].
2. It is used in electroplating and as a catalyst ^[15].
3. Making electrical appliances such as electric ovens and toasters ^[1].
4. Nickel is added to glass to give it a green color ^[1].

Is It Dangerous

Nickel is carcinogenic. It may cause skin and asthma-like allergies. When inhaled or brought in contact, it may adversely affect skin, eyes, nose and lungs ^{[3, 15]}. Serious health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, etc. are also caused by nickel poisoning [18]. However, as a trace mineral required by the human body, it has a number of health benefits ^[19]. Foods high in nickel are soya beans, chocolate, almonds, nuts and legumes ^[20].

Interesting Facts

• The metal does not rust and is corrosion resistant even when red hot ^{[1, 3]}.

Nickel (Ni Element) Cost

The pure metal is priced at $7.7 for every 100 gram and in bulk, the same quantity costs $1.9 ^[3].

References
1. http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/28/nickel
2. https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele028.html
3. https://www.chemicool.com/elements/nickel.html
4. http://info.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Workshop/advice/coils/mu/
5. https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/ni.htm
6. http://objetoseducacionais2.mec.gov.br/bitstream/handle/mec/10496/reactions/28.htm
7. http://www.elementalmatter.info/mass-numbers.htm
8. https://www.webqc.org/molecular-weight-of-Ni.html
9. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermal-conductivity-metals-d_858.html
10. https://www.thoughtco.com/table-of-electrical-resistivity-conductivity-608499
11. http://www2.ucdsb.on.ca/tiss/stretton/database/specific_heat_capacity_table.html
12. https://www.reade.com/reade-resources/reference-educational/reade-reference-chart-particle-property-briefings/25-specific-gravity-table-metals-minerals-ceramics-substance
13. http://www.prvky.com/elements/nickel.html
14. http://www.substech.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=commercially_pure_nickel_270_high_purity_nickel
15. https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1341.pdf
16. http://chemistry-reference.com/q_elements.asp?Symbol=Ni
17. https://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/periodic/Ni.html
18. https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/nickel/
19. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1223/nickel
20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3667300/