The CsCl structure of the Raney nickel catalyst obtained from mechanically alloyed nickel aluminides

Abstract

Mechanically alloyed nickel aluminide of composition Ni₃₅Al₆₅ retains its CsCl structure after being treated with 20% KOH solution. The Raney nickel catalyst thus obtained was identified as having a CsCl-type structure. Annealing of this metastable material at 120–150°C led to the formation of a cubic nickel structure. This phase transformation was accompanied by the appearance of strong ferromagnetism.