Polymorphism in nickel hydroxide: role of interstratification

In addition to the well-known alpha and beta modifications, nickel hydroxide is shown to exist in a number of poorly crystalline forms-clearly distinguishable by their signature X-ray powder diffraction patterns. DIFFaX simulations combined with compositional analysis and IR spectral data indicate that these are interstratified phases consisting of alpha- and beta-type structural motifs intermixed in varying proportions.