Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder Specifications

Note: Specifications are based on theoretical data. For detailed information and specific requirements, please contact us.

Product Description

Stanford Materials Corporation’s Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder (Tm₂(CO₃)₃·xH₂O) is a high-purity rare earth compound known for its stability and reactivity. Typically appearing as a white powder, it is sparingly soluble in water but readily reacts with mineral acids to release carbon dioxide and form corresponding thulium salts. Upon heating above 300°C, it decomposes into thulium oxide (Tm₂O₃), making it a critical precursor for various high-performance applications.

Key Features:

• Thermal Stability: Decomposes predictably at temperatures above 300°C for efficient processing.
• Chemical Reactivity: Reacts with acids to release CO₂, facilitating the synthesis of other thulium compounds.
• Hygroscopic Nature: Mildly hygroscopic; requires airtight storage to maintain quality.
• Purity: High-purity formulation ensures optimal performance in specialized applications.

Applications:

• Precursor for Thulium Oxide (Tm₂O₃): Essential for producing thulium oxide used in lasers, ceramics, and electronic components.
• Laser Materials: Utilized in the production of thulium-doped laser crystals and fibers, particularly for infrared applications (~2 μm).
• Phosphors and Luminescent Materials: Employed in the synthesis of phosphors for display and lighting technologies.
• Advanced Ceramics: Acts as a dopant to enhance thermal, magnetic, and optical properties of high-performance ceramics.
• Glass and Optical Coatings: Modifies refractive index and transmission properties of specialty glass and coatings.
• Research and Development: Vital for academic and industrial research in rare earth chemistry and materials science.

Handling Instructions:
Handle with appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhalation, skin contact, and eye exposure. Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers to prevent moisture uptake and ensure stability.

Applications

1. Precursor for Thulium Oxide (Tm₂O₃): Thermal decomposition yields thulium oxide, crucial for lasers, ceramics, and electronics.
2. Laser Materials: Used in thulium-doped laser crystals and fibers for solid-state and medical lasers, especially in the infrared spectrum (~2 μm).
3. Phosphors and Luminescent Materials: Essential in the production of blue-emitting phosphors for displays and lighting technologies.
4. Advanced Ceramics: Serves as a dopant to improve thermal, magnetic, and optical properties in high-performance ceramics.
5. Glass and Optical Coatings: Enhances the refractive index and transmission properties of specialty glass and optical coatings.
6. Research and Development: Utilized in the synthesis of other thulium compounds and materials for advanced engineering applications.

Packaging

SMC ensures secure and customized packaging tailored to your needs:

• Small Quantities: Packed in durable PP boxes.
• Large Quantities: Shipped in custom wooden crates.
• Customization: Various carton sizes and cushioning materials available to ensure optimal protection during transit.

Manufacturing Process

Our stringent manufacturing process includes:

1. Chemical Composition Analysis: Verified using GDMS or XRF to ensure purity.
2. Mechanical Testing: Assessing tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation.
3. Dimensional Inspection: Ensuring thickness, width, and length meet specifications.
4. Surface Quality Checks: Identifying and eliminating defects through visual and ultrasonic methods.
5. Hardness Testing: Confirming material hardness and consistency.

For more details, refer to SMC’s comprehensive testing procedures.

FAQs

Q1. What is the thermal stability of Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder?

• It decomposes when heated, typically above 300°C, forming thulium oxide (Tm₂O₃) and releasing carbon dioxide.

Q2. Is Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder hazardous?

• It is considered to have low toxicity but may cause irritation if inhaled or if it comes into contact with skin or eyes. Standard laboratory safety measures should be followed.

Q3. How should Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder be stored?

• Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place, away from acids and moisture.

Performance Comparison Table with Competitive Products

Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder vs. Competitive Rare Earth Carbonates

Additional Information

Common Preparation Methods

Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder is typically prepared via a precipitation reaction between a soluble thulium salt and a carbonate source. The standard laboratory procedure involves the following steps:

1. Preparation of Thulium Solution:
   Thulium nitrate (Tm(NO₃)₃) or thulium chloride (TmCl₃) is dissolved in deionized water to form a clear, light green solution.

2. Addition of Carbonate Source:
   An aqueous solution of sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) or ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃) is slowly added to the thulium solution under continuous stirring.

3. Formation of Precipitate:
   As the carbonate is introduced, a pale green precipitate of Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder forms immediately.
   Reaction Example (Using Thulium Nitrate):
   2Tm(NO3)3+3Na2CO3→Tm2(CO3)3↓+6NaNO32Tm(NO3​)3​+3Na2​CO3​→Tm2​(CO3​)3​↓+6NaNO3​

4. Aging and Separation:
   The precipitate is aged to ensure complete reaction, then separated by filtration or centrifugation.

5. Washing:
   The product is washed several times with deionized water to remove residual byproducts such as sodium or ammonium salts.

6. Drying:
   Finally, the product is dried at low temperatures (typically 60–80°C) to obtain pure Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder. This ensures high purity suitable for applications in ceramics, optical components, and rare earth synthesis.

Characterization Techniques

• X-ray Diffraction (XRD): For phase identification and crystallinity assessment.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): To evaluate the morphology and particle size.
• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA): To study decomposition behavior and thermal stability.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): For precise chemical composition analysis.
• Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): To identify functional groups and verify compound structure.

These characterization techniques ensure that the Thulium Carbonate Hydrate Powder meets the high standards required for its diverse applications.