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- About Us
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.
Properties
Identifiers
Isotopes
Applications
Grades
Synonyms
General Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 64 |
| Density | 7.90 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1312 °C |
| Boiling Point | 3272 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 10.6 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 131 nΩ·m |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal Close-Packed (HCP) |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 200 MPa (approximate) |
| Yield Strength | Unknown / Not well defined |
| Young’s Modulus | 55 GPa |
| Hardness | Brinell ~240 (approximate) |
| Elongation at Break | ~20% |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.26 |
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Oxidizes readily in air; forms oxide layer |
| Reactivity | Reacts with water and acids; ignites when finely divided |
| Oxidation States | +3 |
| Surface Oxide | Forms Gd₂O₃ in air |
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Gd |
| Atomic Number | 64 |
| CAS Number | 7440-54-2 |
| UN Number | UN3089 (powder) |
| EINECS Number | 231-162-2 |
| Isotope | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gd-152 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~0.20% |
| Gd-154 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~2.18% |
| Gd-155 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~14.80% |
| Gd-156 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~20.47% |
| Gd-157 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~15.65% |
| Gd-158 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~24.84% |
| Gd-160 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~21.86% |
Scientific Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| MRI Contrast Agents | Used in gadolinium-based compounds for medical imaging |
| Neutron Capture Research | Valuable in neutron radiography and reactor shielding studies |
| Magnetocaloric Studies | Explored for magnetic refrigeration and thermal regulation |
| High-temperature Superconductors | Used as a dopant in research on superconducting materials |
| Quantum Materials | Studied for its magnetic transitions and spintronic potential |
Industrial Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Medical Imaging | Key material in MRI contrast agent production |
| Nuclear Reactors | Used as control rod and shielding material due to high neutron absorption |
| Data Storage | Component in magneto-optical memory systems |
| Phosphors | Used in the manufacture of green and blue phosphors |
| Magnetic Refrigeration | Utilized in emerging solid-state cooling technologies |
| Purity | Main Uses | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 99% (2N) | Industrial-grade applications such as neutron shielding and magnetic materials | Suitable for bulk applications where ultra-high purity is not critical |
| 99.9% (3N) | Scientific research, MRI contrast agent synthesis, and advanced magnetic materials | High-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 |