Chemical Properties
Cerium Nitrate Hexahydrate melts at a low temperature (57 °C)and thermally decomposes at low temperatures too, beginning at 190 °C and proceeding rapidly at 280 °C with complete decomposition to cerium oxide at 390-400 °C.
Physical properties
Cerium Nitrate Hexahydrate is a white-to-yellow crystalline salt that is hygroscopic and air-sensitive. It is highly soluble in water, alcohol, and acetone, although solutions can appear slightly hazy.
crystal structure
Cerium Nitrate Hexahydrate has the structure of pinacoidal triclinic crystals.
Uses
Cerium nitrate hexahydrate is widely used as a source of cerium, especially in the synthesis of micro- or nano-structured ceria (cerium oxide).
Clinical Use
Cerium nitrate hexahydrate is the most common nitrate of cerium(III). It is a component in a burn treatment cream that also includes silver sulphadiazine. Concentrations used are 0.5 M for the cerium nitrate. For very serious burns it reduces the death rate.
