Nickel and Its Usage

Nickel and Its Usage: Recently, a study by the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials introduced a hydrogen plasma-based technique for nickel extraction, presenting a more sustainable alternative to traditional, carbon-intensive methods.

• About Hydrogen Plasma Method: In this method, hydrogen gas is transformed into plasma using an electric arc furnace.

o The resulting hydrogen plasma then reacts with nickel oxide to produce pure nickel and water—eliminating carbon dioxide emissions typically generated by conventional extraction processes.

o Key benefits : Up to 84% reduction in direct CO₂ emissions

ü 18% more energy-efficient than traditional multistep methods

ü Yields high-purity ferronickel suitable for stainless steel without extensive refining

• About Nickel : Silvery-white, hard, ductile, malleable, and corrosion-resistant with good thermal and electrical conductivity.

o Source and Occurrence: Never found in pure form naturally; extracted from sulfide and laterite ores, often alongside copper and uranium.

o Applications : Stainless steel production (65% of global demand) for added strength, corrosion resistance, and durability.

ü Construction, kitchenware, medical instruments, and infrastructure projects.

ü Aerospace and defence due to its heat resistance (jet engines, turbines, and superalloys)

ü Green technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage systems supporting net-zero targets.