The hydrolysis behaviour of Mg2Ni and Mg2NiH4 in water or a 6M KOH solution and its application to Ni nanoparticles synthesis

Abstract

Abstract Both Mg 2 Ni and Mg 2 NiH 4 undergo hydrolysis in water and in a 6 M KOH alkaline solution. Mg 2 Ni spontaneously reacts with water to form Mg(OH) 2 , Ni and hydrogen. Mg 2 NiH 4 first dissociates into Mg 2 Ni and hydrogen, and then the Mg 2 Ni is further hydrolyzed into Mg(OH) 2 and Ni. The hydrolysis characteristics of both Mg 2 Ni and Mg 2 NiH 4 suggest that they are not suitable for use as electrodes in rechargeable batteries. After the Mg(OH) 2 in the hydrolysis product of Mg 2 Ni in distilled water was carefully removed using dilute hydrochloric acid, spherical Ni particles with a size of about 10 nm were obtained. The hydrolysis of Mg 2 Ni or Mg 2 NiH 4 therefore provides a new and relatively simple method for the production of nickel nanoparticles.