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!