Gd2O3

Gadolinium sesquioxide, with the chemical formula Gd2O3, is an inorganic compound. It is a white crystalline solid that is insoluble in water but soluble in strong acids. Gd2O3 is a member of the rare earth oxide family and is known for its high melting point and thermal stability. It exists in several crystalline forms, including monoclinic, cubic, and hexagonal. The cubic structure is the most common and is analogous to the structure of yttrium oxide.

Gadolinium sesquioxide is primarily produced through the calcination of gadolinium salts, such as gadolinium carbonate or gadolinium oxalate. It can also be obtained by the precipitation of gadolinium hydroxide followed by heating. The purity of the resulting Gd2O3 is important for its various applications.

The applications of Gd2O3 are diverse, stemming from its unique properties. It is used in phosphors for fluorescent lamps and cathode ray tubes, where it contributes to luminescence. In nuclear technology, it acts as a neutron absorber and is incorporated into control rods for nuclear reactors. Gd2O3 also finds use in high-temperature ceramics and as a dopant in solid oxide fuel cells. Furthermore, its paramagnetic properties make it a subject of research in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, although other gadolinium compounds are more commonly employed in this field. Its high refractive index also makes it a potential material for optical coatings and lenses.