Gadolinium

Gadolinium

Gadolinium (Gd) is a silvery-white, malleable rare earth metal belonging to the lanthanide series. It has a melting point of 1312 °C and is known for its exceptional neutron absorption properties and strong paramagnetism. Gadolinium is typically extracted from monazite and bastnäsite ores using ion-exchange and solvent extraction techniques.

Goodfellow's high-purity Gadolinium products are designed to meet the exacting needs of advanced research and industrial applications. Available in forms such as foil, powder, rod, and sputtering target, gadolinium is valued for its unique magnetic properties and high neutron absorption cross-section. This rare earth metal exhibits ferromagnetic behavior below 20°C (68°F) and becomes strongly paramagnetic above this temperature. Gadolinium finds critical applications in nuclear technology, medical imaging, and electronics industries. It plays a vital role in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a contrast agent, enhancing the clarity of scans for improved diagnostics. In nuclear reactors, gadolinium is used in control rods and neutron shielding, contributing to safety and efficiency. Goodfellow's gadolinium products support cutting-edge research in magnetic refrigeration technology and the development of high-performance electronic components. Their distinctive properties make them indispensable for scientists and engineers advancing materials science, particularly in applications requiring precise magnetic control and neutron absorption capabilities.



General Properties

PropertyValue
Atomic Number64
Density7.90 g/cm³
Melting Point1312 °C
Boiling Point3272 °C
Thermal Conductivity10.6 W/m·K
Electrical Resistivity131 nΩ·m
Crystal StructureHexagonal Close-Packed (HCP)

Mechanical Properties

PropertyValue
Tensile Strength200 MPa (approximate)
Yield StrengthUnknown / Not well defined
Young’s Modulus55 GPa
HardnessBrinell ~240 (approximate)
Elongation at Break~20%
Poisson’s Ratio0.26

Chemical Properties

PropertyValue
Corrosion ResistanceOxidizes readily in air; forms oxide layer
ReactivityReacts with water and acids; ignites when finely divided
Oxidation States+3
Surface OxideForms Gd₂O₃ in air
IdentifierValue
SymbolGd
Atomic Number64
CAS Number7440-54-2
UN NumberUN3089 (powder)
EINECS Number231-162-2
IsotopeTypeNotes
Gd-152StableNatural abundance: ~0.20%
Gd-154StableNatural abundance: ~2.18%
Gd-155StableNatural abundance: ~14.80%
Gd-156StableNatural abundance: ~20.47%
Gd-157StableNatural abundance: ~15.65%
Gd-158StableNatural abundance: ~24.84%
Gd-160StableNatural abundance: ~21.86%

Scientific Applications

Use CaseDescription
MRI Contrast AgentsUsed in gadolinium-based compounds for medical imaging
Neutron Capture ResearchValuable in neutron radiography and reactor shielding studies
Magnetocaloric StudiesExplored for magnetic refrigeration and thermal regulation
High-temperature SuperconductorsUsed as a dopant in research on superconducting materials
Quantum MaterialsStudied for its magnetic transitions and spintronic potential

Industrial Applications

Use CaseDescription
Medical ImagingKey material in MRI contrast agent production
Nuclear ReactorsUsed as control rod and shielding material due to high neutron absorption
Data StorageComponent in magneto-optical memory systems
PhosphorsUsed in the manufacture of green and blue phosphors
Magnetic RefrigerationUtilized in emerging solid-state cooling technologies
PurityMain UsesNotes
99% (2N)Industrial-grade applications such as neutron shielding and magnetic materialsSuitable for bulk applications where ultra-high purity is not critical
99.9% (3N)Scientific research, MRI contrast agent synthesis, and advanced magnetic materialsHigh-purity form preferred for applications requiring low impurities and strong magnetic properties
Synonym
Gd
Gd metal
Gd element
Gadolinium metal
Gadolinium element
Gadolinium rare earth metal
Gadolinium rare earth element
Element 64