Nickel carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula NiCO₃. It is a greenish - gray solid that is insoluble in water. It occurs in nature as the mineral gaspéite. Nickel carbonate is often prepared by the reaction of nickel salts with carbonate - containing solutions.

Nickel carbonate has several important uses:

Catalyst: It is used as a precursor in the preparation of nickel - based catalysts. These catalysts are widely employed in various chemical reactions, such as hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, and reforming processes in the petroleum and chemical industries.

Battery Manufacturing: It can be used in the production of certain types of batteries. Nickel - based batteries, such as nickel - cadmium (Ni - Cd) and nickel - metal hydride (Ni - MH) batteries, utilize nickel - containing compounds like nickel carbonate as key components.

Ceramics and Glass Industry: In the ceramics and glass industry, nickel carbonate is used as a colorant. It can impart green or blue - green colors to ceramics and glass products, depending on the concentration and the manufacturing process.

Metal Plating: It serves as a source of nickel in electroplating processes. Nickel plating is commonly used to improve the corrosion resistance and appearance of metal objects, such as in the automotive and electronics industries.