Gadolinium(III) fluoride explained

Gadolinium(III) fluoride is an inorganic compound with a chemical formula GdF3.

Preparation

Gadolinium(III) fluoride can be prepared by heating gadolinium oxide and ammonium bifluoride. The reaction involves two steps:[1] [2]

Gd2O3 + 6 NH4HF2 → 2 NH4GdF4 + 4 NH4F + 3 H2O

NH4GdF4 → GdF3 + NH3 + HF

Alternatively, reacting gadolinium chloride with hydrofluoric acid and adding hot water produces GdF3·xH2O (x=0.53). Anhydrous gadolinium(III) fluoride can then be produced by heating the hydrate with ammonium bifluoride; without the bifluoride, GdOF is formed instead.[3]

GdCl3 + 3 HF + x H2O → GdF3·xH2O + 3 HCl

Properties

Gadolinium(III) fluoride is a white solid that is insoluble in water. It has an orthorhombic crystal structure with the space group Pnma (space group no. 62).[4]

Uses

Gadolinium(III) fluoride is used to produce fluoride glasses.[5]

Notes and References

  1. 郝占忠. 氟化氢铵氟化法合成氟化钆过程的基础研究[J]. 材料科学与工艺, 2010, 18(5):653-656.
  2. 郝占忠, 王斌. Gd2O3-NH4HF2系制备氟化钆机制及工艺研究[J]. 稀有金属, 2007, 31(1):97-101.
  3. 郝占忠. 湿法氟化制备水合氟化钆的脱水机制及其氧的行为[J]. 有色金属(冶炼部分), 2010(5):36-39.
  4. Book: Ans, Jan d' . Elemente, anorganische Verbindungen und Materialien . Ans . Jan d' . 1998 . Verlag nicht ermittelbar . 978-3-540-60035-0 . 4., neubearb. u. rev. Aufl . Taschenbuch für Chemiker und Physiker / D'Ans . Ort nicht ermittelbar.
  5. Web site: Gadolinium(III) fluoride. Thermo Scientific Chemicals.