1. Metal Treatment

• Sealing Anodized Aluminum: Nickel acetate is used to seal anodized aluminum, particularly for dyed or clear anodized aluminum, enhancing weather and light fastness, especially for coatings dyed with organic dyes. The process involves immersing the anodized aluminum in a boiling nickel acetate solution. It can prevent fading and discoloration of the oxide film on dyed aluminum.
• Electroplating: Nickel acetate is used in nickel electroplating solutions, providing a layer of nickel onto a metal surface. This can improve corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and add a bright, appealing finish to the metal.

2. Performance Chemicals

• Organic Synthesis: Nickel acetate acts as a catalyst in various organic reactions, facilitating the formation of new chemical bonds and enabling the synthesis of complex molecules.
• Polymerization:  It's used in the production of catalysts for polymerization reactions, which are crucial in the manufacturing of plastics and other polymers.  
• Nickel Oxide (NiO): Nickel acetate is a common precursor for synthesizing nickel oxide (NiO), a material with applications in electrochromic devices, gas sensors, and lithium-ion batteries. 
• Other Nickel Compounds: It serves as a starting material for the synthesis of other nickel compounds, expanding the range of materials that can be produced.
• Hydrothermal Synthesis: Nickel acetate tetrahydrate is used in the hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured nickel diselenide (NiSe2).

3. Energy

• Batteries: Nickel acetate is a precursor for synthesizing cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries and other battery types. For example, it can be used to create nickel oxide (NiO) nanocomposites for lithium-ion battery anodes, which can improve cycling performance and rate capability. 
• Electrocatalysis: It can serve as a precursor for electrocatalysts used in reactions like ethanol oxidation for hydrogen and acetate production.

4. Fabric Solutions

• Mordant Action: Nickel acetate acts as a mordant by forming a complex with both the dye and the fabric fibers. This complexation increases the dye's affinity for the fabric, preventing it from washing out easily.