Yttrium Sulfate, also called Yttrium Sulphate, is applied in ceramics, glass, and electronics. Yttrium Sulfate is a moderately water and acid soluble Yttrium source for uses compatible with sulfates. Yttrium is used in the production of a large variety of synthetic garnets, and Yttria is used to make Yttrium-Iron-Garnets, which are very effective microwave filters.
Small, reddish-white, monosymmetric
crystals. D 2.558, loses 8H2O at 120C, decomposes
700C. Soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid; sparingly
soluble in water; insoluble in alkalies.
Red monoclinic crystals; density 2.59 g/cm3; loses all its water molecules at 120°C; decomposes at 700°C; sparingly soluble in water, less soluble in hot water; dissolves in concentrated sulfuric acid forming Y(HSO4)3; insoluble in alkalis; forms double salts with alkali sulfates.
Yttrium sulfate is used in making many yttrium salts.
Yttrium(III) sulfate octahydrate is used as a laboratory reagent, colorant, structural ceramics, optical glasses and catalysts. It finds application in electrical components and photo-optical materials.
Yttrium sulfate is produced as an intermediate in recovering yttrium from monazite or xenotime (see Yttrium, Recovery). Rare earth sulfates are separated on a cation exchange resin bed. Yttrium fraction is purified by fractional crystallization. Alternatively, yttrium sulfate may be prepared by reacting yttrium oxide with sulfuric acid.
