Nickel carbonyl gas (Ni(CO)₄)

Description

1. Product Overview
Nickel carbonyl gas (Ni(CO)₄) is a high-purity, liquid-metal carbonyl compound used exclusively as an intermediate precursor for the production of primary nickel via the carbonyl refining process (Mond process). Its primary industrial use is in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of ultra-high-purity nickel coatings and the manufacture of nickel powders for electronics and catalysis. The key value proposition is unmatched nickel purity (>99.99%) and uniform particle morphology, enabling critical applications where trace metal contamination is unacceptable. Strategically, it remains essential for aerospace, battery materials, and semiconductor supply chains that require consistent, high-density nickel with controlled microstructure.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Nickel carbonyl, Ni(CO)₄

• Purity level: ≥ 99.99% (trace metals basis); typical iron content < 5 ppm, cobalt < 2 ppm

• Physical form: Colorless to pale yellow liquid at 20°C, volatile gas above 43°C; vapor density ~5.9 (air = 1)

• Molecular weight: 170.73 g/mol

• Melting point: –25°C; Boiling point: 43°C

• Density (liquid at 20°C): 1.32 g/cm³

• Vapor pressure: 400 mbar at 25°C

• Packaging options: Stainless steel cylinders (450 bar rated) with dip tube, available in net weights of 10 kg, 50 kg, and custom ISO containers with integrated pressure relief systems

• Shelf life: 12 months from date of analysis when stored upright at 2°C – 8°C, away from oxidizers

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Aerospace superalloys, rechargeable battery manufacturing (Ni-rich cathodes), semiconductor sputtering targets, fine nickel powder production, and hydrogenation catalysts.

• Specific use cases: Chemical vapor deposition of protective nickel barrier layers on electronic components; thermal decomposition to produce spherical nickel powder (average particle size 0.5–5 µm) for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs); refining of primary nickel from matte or scrap.

• Performance advantage vs. alternatives: Unlike electrolytic nickel or nickel salts, Ni(CO)₄ decomposes directly to pure metal without wet chemistry residues, eliminating downstream purification steps. It enables >99.99% nickel deposits with controllable grain size, reducing defects in conductive pastes and increasing battery cycle life by up to 30% compared to standard nickel powders.

• Cost advantage: Lower total cost of ownership due to reduced post-processing (no washing, drying, or reduction steps) and minimal heavy metal waste treatment.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Batch-to-batch purity certified by ICP-MS; each cylinder supplied with Certificate of Analysis (CoA) including trace metals (Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, As).

• Supply reliability: Multiple redundant production lines in OECD-compliant facilities; strategic buffer stock held in three regional hubs (Americas, EMEA, APAC).

• Logistics capability: Dedicated hazardous cargo team with UN1994 (Toxic Inhalation Hazard, Zone B) compliance; temperature-controlled intermodal shipping with real-time GPS tracking.

• Price competitiveness: Fixed quarterly pricing available for annual volumes >5 MT; index-linked contracts with floor/ceiling mechanisms.

• Sustainability & safety: Closed-loop recovery systems capture >98% of residual nickel; full REACH and TSCA compliance; 24/7 technical emergency response (CHEMTREC affiliated).

• Technical support: On-site commissioning assistance for CVD reactors; custom cylinder manifold designs provided free with long-term agreements.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): 50 kg net cylinder (standard)

• BULK 20MT loading capacity: One ISO intermodal container (20 ft) holds up to 20 metric tons of nickel carbonyl gas in manifolded cylinders or a single bulk tank container (T50 type) – equivalent to ~15,150 liters liquid volume.

• MT per standard 20 ft container (optimized packing): 20 MT (maximum net hazardous weight per IMO regulations for UN1994, PG I)