Inorganic Compounds

Gadolinium is a chemical element with symbol Gd and atomic number 64. Gadolinium is a silvery-white, malleable, and ductile rare earth metal. It is found in nature only in oxidized form, and even when separated, it usually has impurities of the other rare earths.

Gadolinium Carbonate is a water insoluble Gadolinium source that can easily be converted to other Gadolinium compounds, such as the oxide by heating (calcination). Carbonate compounds also give off carbon dioxide when treated with dilute acids. The linear formula of Gadnolinium Carbonate is Gd₂(CO₃)₃.

Gadolinium possesses unusual metallurgical properties, to the extent that as little as 1% of gadolinium can significantly improve the workability and resistance to oxidation at high temperatures of iron, chromium, and related metals. Gadolinium as a metal or a salt absorbs neutrons and is, therefore, used sometimes for shielding in neutron radiography and in nuclear reactors.

Gadolinium Carbonate is used for making optical glass and dopant for Gadolinium Yttrium Garnets which have microwave applications. High purity of Gadolinium Carbonate are used for making phosphors for colour TV tube and energy-saving lamps.

Gadolinium Carbonate is used as intravenous MRI contrast agent to enhance images in medical magnetic resonance imaging and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) procedures. It is used for making Gadolinium Yttrium Garnet (Gd:Y3Al5O12); it has microwave applications and is used in fabrication of various optical components and as substrate material for magneto-optical films.