The liquid state property and intermetallic compound growth of Zr2Ni alloy were investigated by electrostatic levitation(ESL) technique. The relation between liquid undercooling and superheating followed a sigmoidal curve, which was probably attributed to the liquid structure transition. This assumption was supported by the density and viscosity measurement of liquid Zr2Ni alloy. Meanwhile, the diffusion-limited growth mechanism of Zr2Ni compound phase was demonstrated by the measured dendritic growth velocity. Within the undercooling range of 70-277 K(0.20 T-L), the dendritic growth velocity displayed a parabolic relation versus undercooling, which achieved a maximum value of 27 mm s(-1).