Apr 30 2013
Nanoparticles are ultra fine particles having one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nm or less. The properties of nanoparticles differ completely from that of bulk materials. Therefore, the properties of conventional materials change when they are produced from nanoparticles due to the greater surface area per weight of nanoparticles.
Terbium oxidizes easily and is therefore rarely used in its elemental form, especially outside of the research world. Terbium responds strongly to X-ray excitation, and is therefore used as an X-ray phosphor.
Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of terbium nanoparticles are outlined in the following table.
| Chemical Data |
| Chemical symbol |
Tb |
| CAS No. |
7440-27-9 |
| Group |
3 |
| Electronic configuration |
[Xe] 4f9 6s2 |
Physical Properties
The physical properties of terbium nanoparticles are given in the following table.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Molar mass |
158.93 g/mol |
- |
Thermal Properties
The thermal properties of terbium nanoparticles are provided in the table below.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Melting point |
1356°C |
2473°F |
| Boiling point |
3230°C |
5846°F |
Manufacturing Process
Terbium nanoparticles can be prepared in water-in-oil microemulsion that comprises a strongly fluorescent Tb3+ complex, cyclohexane, hexanol, and Triton X-100 by controlling co-condensation of ZrOCl2 and Zr(OCH2CH3)4.
Applications
The key applications of terbium nanoparticles are listed below:
- Dopant in glass and optical fibers, in phosphors
- Coatings, plastics, nanowires and textiles
- Nanosensors and nanodevices.
Source: AZoNano