Gadolinium (Gd) Nanoparticles - Properties, Applications

Nanomaterials are gaining in popularity as they can be applied across a wide range of high-tech industries and advanced technologies due to their excellent catalytic, optical, magnetic, and electronic properties.

Gadolinium is a Block F, Period 6 element. It is found in minerals such as monazite and bastnasite. It is malleable and ductile rare-earth metal. The morphology of these particles is spherical, and they appear as a black powder.

Gadolinium nanoparticles are graded as toxic, and when in contact with water, they release flammable gases which can ignite spontaneously.

Chemical Properties

The chemical properties of gadolinium nanoparticles are outlined in the following table.

Physical Properties

The physical properties of gadolinium nanoparticles are given in the following table.

Thermal Properties

The thermal properties of gadolinium nanoparticles are provided in the table below.

Applications

The key applications of gadolinium nanoparticles are in the following areas:

• Used to increase the speed and capacity of computer memory
• Acts as hosts for x-ray cassettes and in scintillator materials for computer tomography.
• Used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) where coated gadolinium particles are targeted at tumors in an attempt to detect early stage cancer, especially breast cancer
• Used in neutron capture therapy and for MRI contrast enhancement
• As a dopant in glass

The nanoparticles of gadolinium oxide can be used as in the following areas:

• Fluorescent materials
• Special optical glass
• Electric industry
• As additives, catalysts, and dopants
• Neutron converters, cathode-ray tubes and UV detectors
• High resolution x-ray medical imaging
• Ferroelectric memory
• Electroluminescent devices
• Field emission displays and plasma display panels
• Luminescence, scintillators and sintering aids
• Solid oxide fuel cells

Source: AZoNano