Thermal properties and reactivity determination of micro- and submicrometer nickel powders

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF01979511

Monodispersed fine metal nickel powders of uniform shape and high purity are increasingly required for specific uses in many technological areas, especially in the preparation of electronic materials such as the manufacture of conductive inks and pastes and the formation of catalysts. Metallic nickel powders were prepared in ethylene glycol by the reduction of a nickel solution. Hydrazine was used as a reducing agent. Metal powders were characterized by chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Particle size distributions were determined using laser light scattering. The reactivity and purity of these fine nickel powders were tested by repeated oxidation and reduction of nickel powders in oxidative and reductive atmospheres.