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To insulate $\ce{Pt}$ wire heaters, I plated them with $\ce{Ni}$. After switching on the heater for the first time, green $\ce{NiO}$ is formed which is insulating and protects the $\ce{Pt}$ from shorting. After using the heaters for a week or so, the $\ce{Ni}$ slowly falls away and the $\ce{Pt}$ heater shorts and cuts.

What is the best method of stripping away the balance $\ce{NiO}$ from the used up $\ce{Pt}$ heater?

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  • $\begingroup$ It took me 10 seconds to find the Wikipedia page for NiO. It's a basic oxide. $\endgroup$
    – gsurfer04
    Jan 13, 2017 at 10:12
  • $\begingroup$ Wikipedia says, its solubility in H2O in water is negligible. While it also says it's soluble in KCN. But KCN's safe use a bit of concern. $\endgroup$
    – Mockingbird
    Jan 13, 2017 at 12:50
  • $\begingroup$ Can $\ce{HCl(aq)}$ dissolve it? $\endgroup$
    – DHMO
    Jan 14, 2017 at 10:49
  • $\begingroup$ @DMHO link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1020634014278 $\endgroup$
    – permeakra
    Feb 13, 2017 at 16:15

1 Answer 1

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As mentioned by @Mockingbird, nickel oxide is somewhat soluble in potassium cyanide which will dissolve the oxide to form nickel cyanide, $\ce{Ni(CN)2}$ and potassium tetracyanonickelate, $\ce{K2Ni(CN)4}$ but potassium cyanide is very, very toxic.

Do not use it until and unless you are a professional chemist.

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