Gadolinium (III) Chloride Hydrate (GdCl3)

Gadolinium (III) chloride hydrate is a rare earth compound of Gadolinium. It is water-soluble and hygroscopic. Gadolinium is a rare earth element with a high magnetic moment. Due to its magnetic moment, Gadolinium is able to enhance signal intensity by reducing relaxation times. It is also used for semiconductor fabrication and nuclear reactor shielding. When combined with EDTA ligands, Gadolinium can be used as an injectable contrast agent for MRIs.
Gadolinium Chloride is used for making optical glass and dopant for Gadolinium Yttrium Garnets which have microwave applications. High purity of Gadolinium Chloride is used for making laser crystal and phosphors for colour TV tube. It is used for making Gadolinium Yttrium Garnet (Gd:Y3Al5O12); it has microwave applications and is used in fabrication of various optical components and as substrate material for magneto-optical films. Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG, Gd3Ga5O12) was used for imitation diamonds and for computer bubble memory. It can also serve as an electrolyte in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs).