Gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) is an inorganic compound and is one of the most commonly available forms of the rare earth element gadolinium, whose derivative can be used as an injectable contrast agent when complexed with EDTA ligands, for patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an enhancer of the scan clarity. It is also applied as a raw material for various fluorescent compounds, absorption material in atomic reactions, nuclear fuels, magnetic bubble material and screen-sensitivity increasing material.
Besides, as a highly insoluble thermally stable gadolinium source, gadolinium oxide is a suitable component for manufacturing glass, optic, ceramic, filament coatings. It can also used in electronic industry for lasers, masers and telecommunication and as a reaction control agent used in nuclear fuel pellets of rods to limit reactivity and enable longer fuel life. Gadolinium oxide is used in control rods for neutron shielding in nuclear power reactors.The compound also is used as a catalyst.
