Periodic Table of WIS

Gadolinium Gd

 

Where is gadolinium used--or where does it impact your everyday life?

 

Gadolinium

Symbol Gd

Atomic number: 64

Atomic mass: 157.25

Solid at room temperature

Melting point  1313 oC  (2395 oF)

Boiling point: 3000 oC   (5432 oF)

Density (at room temperature)  7.9 g/mL

Health hazard: LD50 = 100-200 mg/kg

Reactions with air

With moist oxygen: 4Gd + 3O2 → 2Gd2O3

With nitrogen: 2Gd + N2 --> 2GdN

Reacts slowly in cold water: 2Gd + 6H2O → 2Gd(OH)3 + 3H2

Electron configuration: [Xe] 6s2 4f7 5d1

Main uses of the element: microwave applications, green phosphors in cathode-ray tube color television sets, MRI contrast agent

Discovered in 1880 by De Marignac from the mineral gadolinite, (Ce,La,Nd,Y)2FeBe2Si2O10, in turn discovered by Johan Gandolin in Finland

Source: LANL.gov

Researched by Sophie, A