Gadolinium Oxide
gadolinium trioxide, gadolinium sesquioxide, gadolinia, GADOLIUM OXIDE
- CAS
- 12064-62-9
- EC
- 235-060-9
- Sectors
- Pharma & Healthcare, Oil, Gas & Energy, Electronics & Solar PV
Gadolinium Oxide (Gd₂O₃; MW 362.5 g/mol; CAS 12064-62-9) is a white, hygroscopic rare earth oxide powder with a melting point of 2420 °C and a density of 7.41 g/cm³; it is insoluble in water. Commercially available purity levels are expressed on a Gd₂O₃/TREO basis at 99.9 %, 99.99 %, and 99.999 %, with TREO ≥ 99 %, alongside a dedicated Nuclear Grade aligned with ASTM C888 requirements.
The material's combination of high neutron absorption cross-section, ionic conductivity when used as a dopant, and luminescent response under excitation makes it a technically critical input across nuclear, energy, medical imaging, and electronics supply chains. Controlled loss on ignition (LOI), specific surface area, and individual rare earth impurity profiles are key specification parameters reported in product documentation.
Gadolinium Oxide
Applications
- Pharma & Healthcare: High-purity Gd₂O₃ is the primary precursor for gadolinium chelate synthesis; rigorous control of heavy metal and rare earth impurity content is essential at this stage of the MRI contrast agent production chain.
- Pharma & Healthcare: Functions as a scintillator and phosphor host material; luminescent efficiency is directly dependent on purity grade and consistent particle morphology.
- Oil, Gas & Energy: Serves as the active component in gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), delivering improved ionic conductivity at intermediate operating temperatures relative to undoped ceria.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Incorporated into specialty optical glass compositions and used as a dopant in phosphor systems where precise refractive index and transmission control are required.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Applied in heterogeneous catalyst formulations relevant to fine chemical and refining processes where rare earth oxide activity is a functional requirement.
- Oil, Gas & Energy: Qualified as a burnable neutron absorber in nuclear fuel pellets; its high thermal neutron capture cross-section enables effective reactivity control, with nuclear-grade material supplied to ASTM C888 chemical and physical requirements.
Safety & Risks
GHS Warning. H319 (eye irritation); H400/H410 (very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects). Avoid dust generation; use safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and adequate ventilation. Store in sealed containers away from moisture.
Packaging
25 kg fibre drums or multiwall bags for standard bulk grades; 1–5 kg sealed containers for 99.99 % and 99.999 % high-purity lots. Store dry.