Gadolinium Uses

Basically, gadolinium is a rare earth metal. In the periodic table, this chemical element is categorized as a rare earth element and it belongs to Lanthanide series. It is placed in group 3 and 6th period of the periodic table and is represented with the symbol Gd. The credit for discovery of gadolinium goes to Swiss chemist Jean de Marignac who identified it in the year 1880 while working with mineral samples of didymium and gadolinite. It was named after well-known Finnish chemist and mineralogist Johan Gadolin. Interestingly, the mineral gadolinite in which gadolinium was found, also got its name after this renowned Finnish scientist. Even though the element was discovered in late nineteenth century, gadolinium usage started only in the recent times. This is because it was very difficult to isolate the element in its pure form because of its high reactivity and susceptibility towards corrosion.

Facts about Gadolinium

Before we discuss what are the uses of gadolinium, let us check out a few quick facts about its properties of gadolinium:

• The key natural sources of gadolinium are minerals monazite and bastnäsite where it is found in the form of oxides.
• Due to its reactive nature, naturally occurring gadolinium cannot be found in free state.
• In its purest form, gadolinium can be identified with its lustrous white color and crystalline structure.
• The atomic number of gadolinium is 64 and atomic mass is 157.25.
• There are 6 stable isotopes of gadolinium found in nature and there is one radioisotope which has an unstable nuclei.
• When it is exposed to dry air, then it does not undergo any chemical change. However, if it comes in contact with moist air, it get tarnished and a flaky crust of oxide is formed on its surface.
• Gadolinium possess an excellent ability to capture thermal neutrons. In fact, there is no other element with stable nucleus that has better neutron absorption ability than gadolinium.

What are the Uses of Gadolinium?

Many of us have heard that gadolinium plays a major role in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) but we are not sure what is gadolinium used for in MRI scan. Actually, in MRI scans it acts a contrast agent. Medical professionals administer solution of gadolinium compounds intravenously through injections into the patients body. The solution then flows into the bloodstream and enhances internal structures of the body. As a result, identification of abnormal cell growths and tumors become a lot more easier. Thus MRI with contrast enables timely diagnosis of several serious health problems. This element is also used in other imaging devices such as X-ray machines.

Besides these gadolinium uses in medical field, it is used in many other industries. It is used in nuclear reactor simply because it is an excellent neutron absorber. However, it cannot absorb neutrons for a long time. Hence, it is used for shutting down nuclear reactors for emergency purposes only. Gadolinium oxide is used in the making of phosphors which is required in television tubes, computer memory and compact discs. The magnetron tubes of microwave ovens contain gadolinium yttrium garnets. It is added in trace amounts in various metals like iron, chromium, etc. to increase their resistance towards heat and corrosion. Various gadolinium compounds act as catalysts for chemical reactions that are involved with production of petroleum and several synthetic products.

Like any other rare earth elements, elemental gadolinium could be toxic in nature. Therefore, if you are handling the metal for any type of gadolinium uses, then it should be done with great care. Inhalation or ingestion of this element should be strictly avoided with suitable precautionary measures. When it is used in the body for medical purpose, then it stays in the body for a very short span of time. For this reason, for most people it is safe and no major side effects are observed. Only in some rare cases, some serious health complications may arise.