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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Materials and Nanochemistry forum => Topic started by: cracker on October 08, 2011, 03:53:09 AM

Title: Gadolinium Oxide to Gadolinium Metal by Thermite reaction?
Post by: cracker on October 08, 2011, 03:53:09 AM

Hello Chemical Forums, thank you for your time., I recently acquired a large amount of Gadolinium Oxide from China, I have little more than basic chemistry background and would like some advice on how I may possibly turn Gadolinium Oxide into Gadolinium Metal. I do not have any foundry type equipment available.  I have experimented with a Thermite reaction using 75 parts Gadolinium Oxide with 25 parts Aluminum. This mixture does form a crude metal slag after the reaction.

Can some experienced members help me with better suggestions on my end goal of a tech form of Gadolinium Metal? Should I be using Aluminum in the mixture? Is there something better? Do you have any suggestions to further purify the left over slag? Its very flaky and crumbly. I would be glad to post any pictures of the reaction and or materials or provide any details needed. I really appreciate everyone’s time here. Thank You!

Title: Re: Gadolinium Oxide to Gadolinium Metal by Thermite reaction?
Post by: vmelkon on October 11, 2011, 07:08:58 PM

Is the metal magnetic?

If you want something pure, then do electrolysis.
Prepare some GdCl3. The melting point is only 603 °C.
GdBr3 = 785 °C.
GdI3 = 926 °C.

Use a iron cathode and graphite anode or 2 graphite electrodes.