Do you know what substances are included in rare earth elements?
Release time:
2025-02-05
In the family of the periodic table, there is a special group of members known as the rare earth elements. There are a total of 17 rare earth elements, which include lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu), as well as yttrium (Y) and scandium (Sc), which are in the same family as the lanthanides.
In the family of the periodic table, there is a special group of members known as rare earth elements. There are a total of 17 rare earth elements, including lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu), as well as yttrium (Y) and scandium (Sc) which are in the same family as lanthanum. Although they are not numerous, they play a crucial role in today's cutting-edge high-tech applications and have become indispensable core elements for breakthroughs in many key technologies.
Based on the differences in solubility of rare earth sulfates, these 17 rare earth elements are divided into two categories: light rare earths and heavy rare earths. The uniqueness of rare earth elements stems from their unique electronic structure. This unique structure endows them with excellent optical, magnetic, and thermal properties, allowing them to cleverly integrate with various materials, resulting in new functional materials with diverse performances and varieties. In this integration process, rare earth elements can also significantly enhance the performance and quality of other products, injecting new vitality into the development of many industries.
Light rare earths mainly include elements such as lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), and europium (Eu).
Heavy rare earths include elements such as gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu), as well as scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y). Heavy rare earth elements have higher atomic numbers and greater mass.
1. Light rare earth: Lanthanum oxide
Lanthanum oxide, with the chemical formula La₂O₃, is an important rare earth oxide that plays a key role in many fields and has an irreplaceable position. Visually, lanthanum oxide appears as a white powder with a fine texture. Its physical and chemical properties are quite unique, with a melting point as high as 2315°C, exhibiting good thermal stability, maintaining a stable chemical structure in high-temperature environments, and being difficult to decompose. It is slightly soluble in water but easily soluble in acids, reacting with various acids to generate corresponding lanthanum salts. In terms of applications, lanthanum oxide is found in multiple industries. In the optical field, it is a high-quality raw material for manufacturing optical glass. The refractive index of optical glass increases significantly with the addition of lanthanum oxide, while the dispersion coefficient decreases, thereby enhancing the imaging quality of optical instruments, allowing camera lenses, telescopes, and other products to capture clearer and more detailed images. In the ceramics field, lanthanum oxide can effectively improve the sintering performance of ceramics as an additive, increasing the hardness, strength, and toughness of ceramics, making them more resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, and widely used in the production of high-temperature ceramic devices and electronic ceramic components. In the catalyst field, lanthanum oxide, with its excellent catalytic activity, is often used in catalytic cracking reactions in the petrochemical industry, accelerating the decomposition of large molecular hydrocarbons in petroleum and increasing the yield of light oil.
2. Light rare earth: Cerium oxide
Cerium oxide, with the chemical formula CeO₂, is an important member of the rare earth oxide family, shining in many fields due to its unique properties. Visually, cerium oxide usually appears as a light yellow or yellow-brown powder, fine and uniform. It has a cubic fluorite structure, which endows cerium oxide with a series of excellent physical and chemical properties. Cerium oxide has a high melting point of about 2600°C, giving it excellent thermal stability, allowing it to maintain its structure and performance stability in high-temperature environments. Additionally, it has good chemical stability and is not easily reactive with other substances under normal conditions. In application fields, cerium oxide performs exceptionally well. In the automotive exhaust purification field, it is a key active component of three-way catalysts. Automotive exhaust contains pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. Cerium oxide, with its unique oxygen storage and release capabilities, can quickly adjust the oxygen concentration on the catalyst surface under different reaction conditions, promoting the redox reactions of harmful gases, converting them into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen, thereby effectively reducing the environmental pollution caused by automotive exhaust. In the glass industry, cerium oxide also plays an important role. On one hand, it can be used as a polishing agent for glass, utilizing its moderate hardness and stable chemical properties to efficiently grind and polish the glass surface, making it smoother and improving its optical performance. On the other hand, cerium oxide can also be used as a decolorizing agent for glass, effectively removing the colors produced by impurity elements in the glass, enhancing the transparency and whiteness of the glass. In the field of electronic materials, cerium oxide is used to prepare high-performance electronic ceramics and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. In electronic ceramics, it can improve the electrical performance of ceramics, allowing them to perform better in electronic components; in solid oxide fuel cells, cerium oxide-based electrolyte materials have high ionic conductivity, helping to improve the power generation efficiency of the cells and promote the development of new energy technologies.
3. Light rare earth: OxidePraseodymium
Praseodymium oxide, with the chemical formula Pr₆O₁₁, is an important rare earth oxide that plays a key role in modern industry and technology. Visually, praseodymium oxide appears as a black or brown powder with a fine texture. Its crystal structure is relatively complex, and this unique structure gives it special physical and chemical properties. In high-temperature environments, praseodymium oxide maintains good stability and is generally not easy to decompose under normal conditions, exhibiting relatively stable chemical properties, but it can react chemically with acids and other substances under specific conditions. In terms of applications, praseodymium oxide has a wide range of uses. In the glass industry, it is a high-quality glass coloring agent. Glass containing praseodymium oxide exhibits a unique yellow-green color, which is difficult to replace with other coloring agents, and is often used to make art glass, filter glass, etc., meeting the special needs for glass color and optical performance in different scenarios. In the ceramics field, praseodymium oxide also plays an important role. It can be a key component of ceramic pigments, giving ceramic products rich and unique colors, enhancing the decorative and artistic value of ceramics. At the same time, praseodymium oxide can improve the sintering performance of ceramics, enhance the hardness and wear resistance of ceramics, and improve the quality and lifespan of ceramic products, thus being widely used in building ceramics, daily-use ceramics, and other fields. In magnetic materials, praseodymium oxide also occupies an important position. It is one of the important raw materials for preparing high-performance permanent magnetic materials, and the magnetic materials made in combination with other elements have high magnetic energy product and coercivity, meeting the demand for strong magnetic materials in devices such as motors and sensors, promoting the miniaturization and efficiency of electronic devices.
Light rare earth: OxidePraseodymium
Neodymium oxide, with the chemical formula Nd₂O₃, is a rare earth oxide that holds a key position in materials science and industrial production. Visually, neodymium oxide is usually a light blue powder, with a soft and unique color. Its crystal structure endows it with many special properties; it is insoluble in water but can react chemically in acidic solutions to generate corresponding neodymium salts. This chemical reactivity lays the foundation for its applications in various fields. In the field of permanent magnetic materials, neodymium oxide is undoubtedly a "star material." Neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets made from it have extremely high magnetic energy product and coercivity, making them one of the strongest permanent magnetic materials available today. From the drive motors of new energy vehicles to the core components of wind turbines, and to electronic products such as computer hard drives and headphones, this high-performance permanent magnet is indispensable, greatly promoting the development of related industries. In the glass industry, neodymium oxide is a magical "color master." Adding neodymium oxide to glass can produce a wonderful purple color, commonly used in making art glass, optical filter glass, etc. Moreover, it can effectively absorb ultraviolet and infrared rays, enhancing the optical performance of glass, and is widely used in protective glasses, camera lenses, and other products. In the ceramics field, neodymium oxide serves as a pigment additive, giving ceramic surfaces brilliant colors and adding unique charm to ceramic art. It can also improve the sintering performance of ceramics, enhance the hardness and wear resistance of ceramics, making ceramic products more durable, and is widely used in building ceramics, daily-use ceramics, and other fields. In the field of catalysts, neodymium oxide is also emerging, being used in catalytic cracking reactions in petrochemicals to accelerate reaction speed and improve production efficiency. With the development of technology, research on the application of neodymium oxide in emerging fields such as new energy batteries and laser materials is also deepening, promising to bring new breakthroughs to these fields in the future and continuously support innovation and progress across various industries.
5.
Light rare earth:Promethium oxide
Promethium oxide, with the chemical formula Pm₂O₃, is a very special rare earth oxide. Its uniqueness primarily stems from its constituent element, promethium — promethium is an extremely rare radioactive element in nature, which also shrouds promethium oxide in a layer of mystery. Visually, promethium oxide generally appears as a slightly yellow powder with a fine texture. Due to the radioactivity of promethium, special protective measures are required during the use and storage of promethium oxide to ensure personnel safety and prevent environmental contamination. In application fields, the unique radioactivity of promethium oxide allows it to play an irreplaceable role in certain specific scenarios. In luminescent materials, it is used as an activator for phosphors. Utilizing the energy released during its radioactive decay, it can excite phosphors to emit light, thus being used to manufacture special luminescent signs, luminous clocks, etc. These luminescent products do not require an external power source and can continuously emit light solely relying on the radioactivity of promethium oxide, making them valuable in dark environments or emergency situations. In the field of nuclear batteries, promethium oxide also shows great potential. Nuclear batteries convert the energy generated from the decay of radioactive materials into electrical energy, and promethium oxide, as a radioactive raw material, can be used to manufacture small, long-life nuclear batteries. These nuclear batteries can provide stable and lasting power supply for certain special devices, such as electronic instruments in spacecraft and deep-sea detectors, meeting their needs for long-term operation in extreme environments.
6.
Light rare earth:OxideSamarium
Samarium oxide, with the chemical formula Sm₂O₃, is an indispensable member of the rare earth oxide family, showcasing unique performance in various fields. Samarium oxide is typically a light yellow powder with a fine and uniform texture. Its chemical properties are relatively stable, maintaining its structure in general environments and not easily reacting with common substances. However, under certain specific conditions, such as encountering strong oxidizing acids, it can undergo chemical reactions to generate corresponding samarium salts. In the field of permanent magnetic materials, samarium oxide plays an important role. It is a key raw material for preparing samarium-cobalt permanent magnets, which have high remanence, high coercivity, and good temperature stability, widely used in aerospace, wind power generation, and other fields with stringent requirements for magnetic material performance. In aerospace equipment, samarium-cobalt permanent magnets provide stable magnetic fields for various motors and sensors, ensuring stable operation of the equipment; in wind turbines, they help improve power generation efficiency, promoting the development and utilization of clean energy. In the optical field, samarium oxide also shines. It can be used as an additive in optical glass, effectively improving the optical performance of the glass. Glass containing samarium oxide has special absorption and transmission characteristics for specific wavelengths of light, commonly used in manufacturing infrared optical devices, laser protective glass, etc. For example, adding samarium oxide to the optical lenses of infrared night vision devices can enhance the lenses' ability to capture and focus infrared rays, improving the imaging clarity of night vision devices.
7.
Light rare earth:Europium oxide
Europium oxide, with the chemical formula Eu₂O₃, is an important oxide of the rare earth element europium, known for its unique properties and its ability to emit light and heat in various fields. Europium oxide typically appears as a light pink powder, with a fine texture and a soft, unique color, visually distinguishing it from other oxides. Its chemical properties are relatively active; it can absorb carbon dioxide and moisture in the air and is easily soluble in acids, forming corresponding europium salt solutions. In the field of luminescent materials, europium oxide is known as the "king of fluorescence." It is one of the luminescent materials with the highest known fluorescence efficiency, widely used in various display devices and lighting products. In the cathode ray tubes of color televisions, europium oxide serves as a key activator for red phosphors, allowing the screen to display vibrant and realistic red colors, significantly enhancing color saturation and image quality. In the LED lighting field, phosphors containing europium oxide can achieve precise color control, resulting in a higher color rendering index for LED lights, restoring the most authentic colors of objects, creating a more comfortable lighting environment for both home and commercial lighting. In the field of laser materials, europium oxide also plays an important role. It can act as a dopant for laser crystals, enabling precise control over the output wavelength and performance of lasers by altering the energy level structure of the laser crystals. Lasers made from europium oxide-doped laser crystals have wide applications in scientific research, medical, and communication fields, such as in medical imaging for precise cell imaging and disease diagnosis; in optical communication, they enable high-speed and stable optical signal transmission. Additionally, europium oxide has unique applications in the nuclear industry. Due to the high neutron absorption cross-section of europium, europium oxide is used to manufacture control rods and neutron-absorbing materials for nuclear reactors, effectively controlling the rate of nuclear reactions and ensuring the safe and stable operation of reactors.
8. HeavyRare Earth:Gadolinium Oxide
Gadolinium oxide, with the chemical formula Gd₂O₃, is an important rare earth oxide with wide applications and unique value in many fields. Here is an introduction to gadolinium oxide: Basic Information: Gadolinium oxide appears as a white or light yellow powder, odorless and non-toxic. Its crystal structure belongs to the cubic crystal system, exhibiting good chemical stability and thermal stability, remaining stable under normal temperature and pressure, and is not easily reactive with other substances. Magnetism: Gadolinium oxide has unique magnetic properties, exhibiting ferromagnetism at low temperatures and paramagnetism at high temperatures. This special magnetic property makes it an important subject for studying the physical properties of magnetic materials and magnetic phase transitions, and it is also a key raw material for manufacturing various magnetic materials and devices. Medical Field: Water-soluble complexes of gadolinium oxide are widely used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They can shorten the relaxation time of hydrogen protons in surrounding water molecules, thereby enhancing image contrast and helping doctors observe internal tissues and organs more clearly, improving the accuracy of disease diagnosis. Optical Field: Due to its high neutron absorption cross-section and good optical transparency, gadolinium oxide can be used to manufacture scintillator materials for neutron detection. Adding gadolinium oxide to X-ray intensifying screens can improve the absorption and conversion efficiency of X-rays, enhancing imaging effects. Ceramics Field: Adding gadolinium oxide to ceramic materials can improve the sintering performance of ceramics, increasing their density and mechanical properties, making them more durable. At the same time, gadolinium oxide can also adjust the optical properties of ceramics, giving them special colors and luster, widely used in electronic ceramics, structural ceramics, and artistic ceramics.
9. HeavyRare Earth:Terbium Oxide Terbium oxide, with the chemical formula Tb₄O₇, is an important rare earth oxide with unique and critical applications in modern technology and industry. Visually, terbium oxide usually appears as a brown or dark brown powder with a fine texture. It has relatively stable chemical properties and does not easily react with common substances under normal conditions, but it can chemically react with corresponding reagents in strong acidic or specific high-temperature environments, producing compounds containing terbium ions. In the field of luminescent materials, terbium oxide is considered a star material. It is a key raw material for preparing green phosphors, widely used in various display devices and lighting products. In color televisions, computer monitors, and today's LED displays, the green phosphors made with terbium oxide emit bright and pure green light, working in conjunction with other colored phosphors to achieve rich and colorful image displays, greatly enhancing the visual experience. In lighting, LED fixtures containing terbium oxide can effectively improve the color rendering performance of the light, making it closer to natural light and restoring the true colors of objects. In the field of magneto-optical materials, terbium oxide also occupies an important position. Utilizing its magneto-optical properties, it can be used to prepare magneto-optical storage media and magneto-optical modulators. In magneto-optical storage technology, materials based on terbium oxide can achieve information writing, reading, and storage through the interaction of magnetic fields and light, providing possibilities for large-capacity, high-speed data storage and promoting the development of information technology. Magneto-optical modulators utilize its ability to control the polarization state of light, playing a key role in optical communication, laser technology, and other fields, achieving modulation and processing of optical signals. Additionally, in the field of catalysts, terbium oxide can act as a catalyst or catalyst assistant for certain chemical reactions. In organic synthesis reactions, it can lower the activation energy of reactions, increase reaction rates and selectivity, assisting the chemical industry in the efficient production of various organic compounds and promoting technological upgrades in the chemical industry. With the continuous advancement of technology, the potential applications of terbium oxide in emerging fields such as new energy and quantum technology are also being continuously explored, and it is expected to contribute to breakthroughs in more cutting-edge technologies in the future.
10. HeavyRare Earth:Dysprosium Oxide
Dysprosium oxide is a rare earth oxide with significant application value. Here is an introduction to it: Basic Information Chemical formula: Dy₂O₃ Appearance: Usually a white or light yellow powder, the color may vary slightly due to purity and preparation methods. Structure: It has a cubic crystal system structure, which gives dysprosium oxide some unique physical and chemical properties. Stability: The chemical properties are relatively stable, and it is not easy to react with other substances under normal temperature and pressure, but it can undergo chemical reactions under specific conditions such as high temperature and strong acids or bases. Main Applications Magnetic Materials: Dysprosium oxide is an important additive for preparing high-performance permanent magnetic materials. Adding dysprosium oxide to neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets can significantly improve the coercivity and thermal stability of the magnets, allowing them to maintain good magnetic properties in high-temperature environments. It is widely used in fields that require high performance of permanent magnetic materials, such as new energy vehicles, wind power generation, and aerospace. Fluorescent Materials: In phosphors, dysprosium oxide can act as an activator or sensitizer, enhancing the luminous efficiency and color purity of phosphors. For example, in trichromatic fluorescent lamps, phosphors containing dysprosium oxide can emit light of specific wavelengths, achieving efficient and energy-saving lighting when combined with other phosphors. Magneto-optical Materials: Utilizing the magneto-optical properties of dysprosium oxide, it can be used to manufacture magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical modulators, and other magneto-optical devices. In the fields of optical communication and optical information processing, these devices can achieve storage, modulation, and transmission of optical signals, providing technical support for high-speed, large-capacity information transmission. Glass and Ceramics: In glass manufacturing, adding dysprosium oxide can change the optical properties of glass, such as absorbing specific wavelengths of light, used to produce filter glass with special optical properties. Adding dysprosium oxide to ceramics can improve the sintering performance and mechanical properties of ceramics, enhancing the quality and stability of ceramics.
11. HeavyRare Earth:Holmium oxide
Holmium oxide is an important rare earth oxide. Here is an introduction to it: Basic Information Chemical formula: Ho₂O₃ Appearance: Usually appears as a light yellow or light green powder, with a soft color and a certain gloss. Molecular weight: 377.86 Crystal structure: Belongs to the cubic crystal system, with a regular crystal structure that significantly affects its physical and chemical properties. Stability: It has good chemical stability and is not easily reactive with most substances under normal temperature and pressure, but it can undergo corresponding chemical reactions under specific conditions such as high temperature, strong acids, or strong bases. Main Applications Laser Field: Holmium oxide is widely used in laser technology and is a key material for making holmium lasers. The wavelength of holmium lasers is in the near-infrared region, which is strongly absorbed by water, making it suitable for medical applications such as lithotripsy and tissue cutting, with advantages of minimal trauma and quick recovery. In the industrial field, it can be used for material cutting, welding, and other processing operations. Magnetic Materials: It can be used to prepare some special magnetic materials, and its unique magnetism allows it to play a special role in certain magnetic devices. For example, in small magnets that require high magnetic permeability or special magnetic properties, holmium oxide can be an important additive to improve the material's magnetism. Glass and Ceramics: Adding holmium oxide in glass manufacturing can give the glass special optical properties, such as being used to make optical filters that can accurately filter specific wavelengths of light. In ceramic production, holmium oxide can be used as a pigment to give ceramic products unique colors, while also improving certain physical properties of ceramics, such as increasing hardness and wear resistance. Research Field: Holmium oxide is often used as a standard material in spectral analysis and other research work, and its characteristic spectrum can provide important reference for the calibration and qualitative and quantitative analysis of spectroscopic instruments.
12. HeavyRare Earth:Erbium oxide
Erbium oxide is a rare earth oxide with unique properties and wide applications. Here is an introduction to it: Basic Information Chemical formula: Er₂O₃ Appearance: Usually a pink or rose-red powder, with bright and unique colors that can show different hues under different lighting conditions. Molecular weight: 382.52 Crystal structure: Belongs to the hexagonal crystal system, which gives erbium oxide some special physical and chemical properties. Stability: It has good chemical stability and is not easily reactive with common acids and bases under normal temperature and pressure, allowing it to exist stably for a long time. Main Applications Fiber Optic Communication: Erbium oxide plays a crucial role in fiber optic communication. It is a key material for making erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA), which can directly amplify optical signals, greatly improving the transmission distance and signal quality of fiber optic communication systems. It is one of the core technologies for achieving long-distance, large-capacity fiber optic communication. Laser Materials: It can be used to prepare various solid-state lasers, such as erbium glass lasers and erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers. The laser output from these lasers is in the mid-infrared region, with important applications in medical, material processing, and military fields, such as laser surgery in medicine and precision cutting in material processing. Optical Glass: Adding erbium oxide in optical glass can improve the optical performance of the glass, such as refractive index and dispersion, used to manufacture high-grade optical lenses, telescopes, and other optical instruments, enhancing their imaging quality and resolution. Ceramics Field: In ceramic materials, erbium oxide can be used as an additive to improve the performance of ceramics, such as increasing strength, toughness, and high-temperature resistance. At the same time, it can also give ceramics unique colors, used to produce decorative and functional ceramic products. Magnetic Materials: Erbium oxide has certain magnetism and can be used to prepare magnetic films and other magnetic materials, with potential application value in magnetic recording and sensors.
13. HeavyRare Earth:Thulium oxide
Thulium oxide Chemical formula: Tm₂O₃, Molecular weight: 385.86168. CAS number: 12036-44-1238. Physical and Chemical Properties Appearance: Usually a light green cubic crystal or gray-white powder. Density: 8.6g/cm³. Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in hot sulfuric acid. Stability: Stable under normal temperature and pressure, but easily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide in the air. Main Uses Medical Field: Mainly used to manufacture portable X-ray transmission devices, utilizing its related properties to generate X-rays, providing convenience for medical diagnosis in some emergency or special situations. Nuclear Industry: Can be used as control materials for reactors, utilizing its neutron absorption characteristics to control the reaction rate of nuclear reactors, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the reactors. Fluorescent Materials Field: Can act as an activator for fluorescent materials, enabling them to emit specific colors and intensities of light, with potential applications in display technology and lighting. Laser Materials Field: It is an important material for preparing some high-performance lasers, with applications in fiber lasers and other fields, used to achieve specific wavelength laser output, applicable in optical communication and laser processing.
14. HeavyRare Earth:Ytterbium Oxide
Chemical formula of Ytterbium Oxide: Yb₂O₃. English name: Ytterbium Oxide. Appearance: White powder with a slight yellow tint, uniform color, may have slight color variations under different lighting conditions. Molecular weight: 394.08. CAS registration number: 1314-37-0. EINECS registration number: 215-233-5. Physical and chemical properties: Density: 9.17 g/cm³. Melting point: 2372℃. Boiling point: about 4000℃. Solubility: Insoluble in water and alkaline solutions, soluble in strong acids. Crystal structure: Has a cubic crystal system structure, which gives it certain unique physical and chemical properties. Under high temperatures and specific conditions, the crystal structure may undergo some changes, but remains stable at normal temperature and pressure. Main applications: Optical field: Adding Ytterbium Oxide to optical glass can adjust the refractive index and dispersion properties of the glass, used in the manufacture of high-end optical lenses, telescopes, microscopes, etc., improving imaging quality and reducing chromatic aberration and spherical aberration. Laser materials: An important raw material for preparing rare earth-doped laser materials. For example, Yb-doped fiber lasers have advantages such as high power, high efficiency, and good beam quality, widely used in laser processing, communication, medical fields, etc. Electronic ceramics: Adding Ytterbium Oxide to electronic ceramics can improve the dielectric properties, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of ceramics, used in the manufacture of multilayer ceramic capacitors, microwave dielectric ceramics, and other electronic components, enhancing the performance and stability of electronic devices. Rare earth permanent magnet materials: In some high-performance rare earth permanent magnet materials, Ytterbium Oxide can be used as an additive, partially replacing other rare earth elements, optimizing the performance of permanent magnet materials, reducing costs, and improving the cost-performance ratio, with important applications in motors, sensors, etc.
15. HeavyRare Earth:Lutetium Oxide
Chemical formula of Lutetium Oxide: Lu₂O₃. English name: Lutetium Oxide. Appearance: Usually a white powder, pure white color, with a certain fineness. Molecular weight: 397.93. CAS registration number: 12032-20-1. EINECS registration number: 234-798-8. Physical and chemical properties: Density: 9.42 g/cm³, relatively high density. Melting point: 2487℃, has a high melting point, can remain stable in high-temperature environments. Boiling point: about 4200℃. Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in inorganic acids. Crystal structure: Belongs to the cubic crystal system, with a regular crystal structure, which gives Lutetium Oxide good physical and chemical stability. Main applications: Optical field: Can be used to manufacture special optical glass, effectively improving the refractive index and transparency of the glass, reducing light scattering, playing an important role in the manufacture of lenses for high-end optical instruments such as astronomical telescopes and microscopes. At the same time, adding Lutetium Oxide to scintillator materials can improve the luminous efficiency and resolution of scintillators, widely used in nuclear detection, medical imaging, and other fields. Electronics industry: An important raw material for preparing some high-performance electronic components. For example, doping Lutetium Oxide into semiconductor materials can improve the electrical performance of semiconductors, enhancing the operating speed and stability of electronic devices, used in the manufacture of integrated circuits, transistors, and other electronic components. Ceramic materials: In ceramic production, Lutetium Oxide can be used as an additive to improve the performance of ceramics, such as enhancing the hardness, toughness, and high-temperature resistance of ceramics, improving the quality and service life of ceramics, commonly used in the manufacture of high-performance ceramic tools, ceramic molds, etc. Catalyst field: Lutetium Oxide has certain catalytic activity and can be used as a catalyst or catalyst carrier in some organic synthesis reactions and petrochemical production processes, improving the efficiency and selectivity of reactions.
16. HeavyRare Earth:Scandium Oxide
Chemical formula of Scandium Oxide: Sc₂O₃. English name: Scandium Oxide. Appearance: White solid, when in powder form has a high specific surface area, with a delicate and uniform appearance. Molecular weight: 137.91. CAS registration number: 12060-08-1. EINECS registration number: 235-054-0. Physical and chemical properties: Density: 3.864 g/cm³. Melting point: 2403±20℃, relatively high melting point, can maintain good stability in high-temperature environments. Boiling point: about 3000℃. Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in hot concentrated acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc. Crystal structure: Has a cubic crystal system structure, which gives Scandium Oxide good physical and chemical stability and some special optical and electrical properties. Main applications: Metal materials field: Adding Scandium Oxide to aluminum alloys can significantly refine the grain size, improving the strength, hardness, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloys, widely used in aerospace, high-speed trains, and other high-end equipment manufacturing fields. Electronics industry: An important raw material for preparing electronic ceramic materials such as scandium oxide, can be used to manufacture electronic components such as capacitors, sensors, etc., enhancing the performance and stability of electronic devices. In addition, in some semiconductor materials, Scandium Oxide can also be used as a dopant to improve the electrical performance of semiconductors. Optical field: Used to manufacture high refractive index, low dispersion optical glass, can improve the imaging quality of optical lenses, with important applications in camera lenses, telescopes, and other optical instruments. At the same time, Scandium Oxide can also be used as an activator for phosphors, making phosphors emit light of specific wavelengths, applied in display technology and other fields. Other fields: In the catalyst field, Scandium Oxide can act as a catalyst for some chemical reactions, with high catalytic activity and selectivity; in the ceramics field, it can be used to prepare high-performance ceramics, improving the mechanical properties and thermal stability of ceramics.
17. HeavyRare Earth:Yttrium Oxide
Chemical formula of Yttrium Oxide: Y₂O₃ English name: Yttrium Oxide Appearance: White powder with a slight yellow tint; the color may vary slightly under different preparation conditions and purities, with a uniform and fine powder texture. Molecular weight: 225.81 CAS registration number: 1314-36-9 EINECS registration number: 215-232-0 Physical and chemical properties: Density: 5.01 g/cm³ Melting point: 2410℃ Boiling point: 4300℃ Solubility: Insoluble in water and alkaline solutions, soluble in inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. Crystal structure: Belongs to the cubic crystal system, with good crystal structure stability, which endows Yttrium Oxide with many unique physicochemical properties. Main applications: Ceramics: An important additive for the preparation of high-performance structural ceramics and functional ceramics. Adding Yttrium Oxide to structural ceramics can improve the strength, toughness, and high-temperature resistance of ceramics, used in the manufacture of ceramic tools, ceramic engine components, etc. In functional ceramics, such as in electronic ceramics, it can improve the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ceramics, widely used in the manufacture of electronic components. Optics: Used in the manufacture of various optical glasses and optical films. Adding Yttrium Oxide to optical glass can increase the refractive index and transparency of the glass, reduce dispersion, used in the manufacture of high-quality optical lenses, telescope lenses, etc. In optical films, Yttrium Oxide films have good optical performance and chemical stability, used for surface protection and optical performance adjustment of optical devices. Rare earth phosphors: An important component of rare earth phosphors, such as in color television cathode ray tubes, fluorescent lamps, LEDs, etc., Yttrium Oxide serves as a matrix material or activator, enabling phosphors to emit different colors of light, improving luminous efficiency and color purity. Other fields: Also has important applications in catalysts, superconducting materials, laser materials, etc. For example, in some catalytic reactions, Yttrium Oxide can act as a catalyst or catalyst carrier, enhancing the activity and selectivity of the reaction; in superconducting materials, Yttrium Oxide combined with other elements can produce superconducting materials with high critical temperatures.
