Gadolinium
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Description
A rare earth metallic element found in the minerals samarskite, gadolinite, monazite, and xenotime. First separated in 1880, gadolinium is a soft, silver-gray, shiny metal. It is primarily used in neutron shielding, as a phosphor activator, and as an oxygen Scavenger. Gadolinium is also used to produce gadolinium-iron garnets that control microwave frequencies.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Gd
Risks
- Combustible.
- Sensitive to moisture.
- Fisher Scientific: MSDS
Physical and Chemical Properties
Soluble in dilute acids. Insoluble in water and strong alkali.
| Composition | Gd (atomic no. 64) |
|---|---|
| CAS | 7440-54-2 |
| Melting Point | 1312 C |
| Density | 7.886 g/ml |
| Molecular Weight | atomic wt =157.25 |
| Boiling Point | 3233 C |
Resources and Citations
- Chemical & Engineering News, American Chemical Society, Washington DC, 81 (36) , Sept. 8, 2003 Comment: Joop A Peters and Douglas J. Raber, "The Lanthanides", p. 136
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 179
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Gadolinium." Accessed 9 Sept. 2004 .