Neodymium Oxide Research Articles

Intergenerational crosstalk of brain-gut axis in parental Nd2O3 exposure-induced offspring neurotoxicity and cognitive dysfunction: a mechanistic study

IntroductionRare earth elements (REEs) are widely used in plenty of fields. REEs have significant neurotoxicity and it may adversely affect the development of cognitive. For example, neodymium will causing neurological damage through penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB). However, whether it disrupts the balance of brain-gut axis (BGA) crosstalk and affects the intestinal microecology disorder of host is still unclear. This study investigated the neural damage on children caused by maternal exposure to Neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) during pregnancy, and its involved mechanism of BGA injury.MethodsWe used rat model to investigated the mechanisms of the offspring’s neural damage that Nd2O3 exposure in pregnancy. To verify the neural damage of offspring rats, we examed BBB-related factors, such like glutamate and ROS levels in brain tissue, behavioral tests, hippocampal and cortical damage, as well as changes in gut microbiota, intestinal mucosal barrier, and SCFAs in the intestine. Also, we observed some specific indicators of intestinal immune barrier function and gut nerve-related indicators.ResultsMaternal Nd2O3 exposure reduced the content of offspring tight junction proteins, increased BBB permeability, leading to Nd accumulation and brain tissue inflammation, affecting offspring’s neural development and weakening their spatial learning ability. Nd2O3 also disrupted BBB integrity by regulating SCFAs and BGA. Probiotic intervention in the offspring rats exposed to 2% Nd2O3 showed significant recovery of inflammation in both brain and colon tissues, and reduced BBB permeability.ConclusionMaternal exposure to Nd2O3 affects the offspring’s BGA, targeting brain and colon tissues, increasing BBB permeability, affecting neural development, causing damage to the intestinal mucosa, and impacting children’s gut development. Probiotics can alleviate these effects. These findings provide valuable insights into understanding the neurodevelopmental and intestinal developmental toxicity of Nd2O3 and its prevention and treatment. It also calls for a comprehensive assessment of the health risks of susceptible populations to Nd2O3, such as pregnant women. It may providing theoretical basis for preventing and controlling neodymium-induced harm in children by examing the repair mechanism of the damage through probiotic intervention.

Nanostructured codoped neodymium orthoferrite synthesized via the hydrothermal route for photocatalytic annihilation of crystal violet dye

Current research demonstrates the synergistic effects of gadolinium (Gd)/copper (Cu) codoping and nanotechnology on various physicochemical and photocatalytic features of neodymium iron oxide (NIO) perovskites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies the synthesis of pure neodymium oxide (NIO-I) and its codoped counterpart (NIO-II) with a perovskite-type crystal structure via simple hydrothermal techniques. Through codoping and nanostructural synthesis, the surface characteristics, as well as the optical, electrical, and optoelectronic properties of the neodymium iron oxide perovskite, were enhanced, as confirmed by Brunner−Emmett−Teller (BET), UV/Vis, current−voltage (I−V), and photoluminescence (PL) studies. In terms of photocatalytic activity, the NIO-II perovskite outperforms its undoped NIO-I counterpart, eliminating 91.8 % of crystal violet (CV) dye in less than 50 min with a rate constant value (k) of 0.019 min−1. However, the undoped counterpart removed 63.8 % of the CV dye, with a comparatively lower rate constant of 0.013 min−1 under the same conditions. Under alkaline conditions, the NIO-II catalyst demonstrates superior efficiency in degrading CV dye; moreover, it maintains an efficiency of 96.8 %, even after undergoing five cycles of reuse. Through the use of rare earth and transition metal codoping, this study reveals a new way to fine-tune the structural and other pertinent properties of semiconductor perovskites, ensuring their practical use for the treatment of polluted water.

Atomic Structure Simulation and Properties’ Prediction using Machine Learning on Neodymium Oxide Nanoparticles Zinc Tellurite Glasses Aided by FTIR and TEM Analysis

The optical, structural, and physical characteristics of zinc tellurite glasses doped with neodymium oxide nanoparticles, which are produced by the melt-quenching method, were examined in this work. The amorphous character of the glasses was verified by XRD analysis. Using the Pair Distribution Function (PDF) and Monte Carlo simulations and visualisation for precise molecule distribution representation, an intuitive Python interface was created to emphasize these features. The density increased with increasing Nd2O3 concentrations, from 5346 to 5606 kg/cm2. Density data was used to infer the molar volume. The best projected density was achieved by the Gradient Boosting Regressor model, with a R2 of 0.9988 and an RMSE of 0.0032; the best predicted molar volume was achieved by linear regression, with a R2 of 1 and an RMSE of 2.67e-15. These models successfully represent the correlations between dopant concentration and glass properties, advancing our knowledge of the optical properties for further glass technology research.

Fabrication, surface characterization and optical behavior of flexible PVA/Nd2O3 polymer nanocomposites materials for optoelectronics applications

The nanocomposite PVA/Nd2O3 with novel properties, that composed of Neodymium (III) oxide (Nd2O3) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), was synthesized by the casting preparation method for applied as flexible films for optoelectronic. The techniques of the FTIR, XRD, SEM and EDX showed that the PVA/Nd2O3 were successfully synthesized. The successful inclusion of Nd2O3 into PVA is indicated by a reduction in PVA/Nd2O3 peak intensities as observed by the FTIR and XRD. Additionally, the UV/Vis technique was used to record the optical behavior at wavelengths between 200 and 1100 nm. The measurements of carbon clusters, band gap, absorption edge, and band tail were determined. The band gap decreases from 5.01 eV to 4.60 eV and the band tail changes from 1.8 eV to 2.85 eV when the Nd2O3 is raised from 5 % to 20 %. In addition, the absorption edge reduced from 5.06 eV for PVA to 4.92, 4.81, 4.72, and 4.49 eV, accordingly, when 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % of Nd2O3 are introduced in the composite. The result showed the composites made with PVA and Nd2O3 have excellent optical characteristics, especially in the UV–visible spectrum, where they are highly reflective and absorbent. The study emphasizes the fabricated composites enhanced optical transparency and absorption properties, which make it a good materials for uses in photonic devices, sensors, and optical instruments.

Sintering trials and microstructural changes mechanism of analogues of americium oxides for radioisotope power systems

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) are deal energy supply devices for deep space and deep-sea exploration, and it is also the energy core of the operation of the working equipment. Except for 238Pu (Plutonium), 241Am (Americium) was also used as a nuclide in the radioactive energy system for future space exploration missions. In this work, neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) was used as analogues for Am2O3. Cold-press-and-sinter methods was used. Different particle parameters (morphology, size, and crystal structure) and synthesized parameters of Nd2O3 were investigated. The synthesized powders contained lath-shaped particles, and batches with different particle sizes and microscopic topography were made and sintered. The results show that the optimal precipitation temperature of Nd2O3 is 25 °C. The optimal thermal decomposition temperature range is 900 °C to 1100 °C, and the optimal thermal decomposition heating rate is 10 °C min−1. The samples of Nd2O3 pellets without cracking is obtained with relative density of 85%–90 %. The Vickers hardness of Nd2O3 pellets was also studied. This paper provides an important scientific guiding significance for the cold-press-and-sinter of radioisotope 241Am batteries in the future.

Study on the extraction of neodymium metal by calciothermic reduction process

The study on the technology of producing neodymium metal using the calciothermic reduction process is reported in this article. The process primarily involves the conversion of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) into neodymium fluoride (NdF3) followed by the reduction of neodymium fluoride to neodymium metal using calcium as reductant. Fluorinating conditions were standardised to obtain the desired product (NdF3) free of any unwanted impurities. The calciothermic reduction of the resulting neodymium fluoride was studied in detail to establish the reduction conditions to achieve maximum yield and purity of the neodymium metal. This process obtained the neodymium metal with a purity of 99.6% before refining step.

Mapping complexity: Analyzing rare earth production life cycle inventories with network analysis

Understanding the significance of process clusters in life cycle inventory networks is crucial for optimizing supply chains, especially for critical elements like rare earth elements (REEs) production. This study employs network analysis (NA) to examine life cycle networks using facility-level energy/material data, extracting information from LCA networks. Based on Chinese facility reports, the investigation evaluates the environmental footprint of various rare earth production pathways, vital to the clean energy sector. It also considers rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing and magnet recycling. Using network metrics, including indegree/outdegree strength, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality, the study assesses the resilience and sustainability of REEs production networks. Results highlight vulnerable nodes like "Neodymium Oxide" and "Nd Metal," aiding in identifying environmentally impactful materials and energy flows to develop more sustainable processes for meeting growing demand while enhancing environmental performance.

Synthesis of PPy- Nd2O3 nano-composite for utilization in supercapacitor applications

In this study, chemical oxidation was employed for the synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy) nanofiber. Furthermore, PPy has been subjected to treatment using nanoparticles of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), which were produced and added in a certain ratio. The inquiry centered on the structural characteristics of the blend of polypyrrole and neodymium oxide after their combination. The investigation utilises X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) for PPy, 10%, 30%, and 50% by volume of Nd2O3. According to the electrochemical tests, it has been noted that the nanocomposites exhibit a substantial amount of pseudocapacitive activity.

Neodymium oxide concentration state recognition model in neodymium molten salt electrolysis process based on flame image features

Accurate recognition of the concentration state of neodymium-oxide (Nd2O3) in the neodymium (Nd) molten salt electrolysis process provides crucial feedback information for online adjustment of process parameters during Nd metal batch production. This paper proposes a Nd2O3 concentration state recognition model based on flame image features. The model employs the lightweight flame segmentation algorithm (FEC-Net) to accurately segment the flame regions in the collected Nd electrolysis cell flame images. Then, using image processing techniques, geometric and color features of the flame regions are extracted. Finally, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to establish a nonlinear mapping model between the flame features and Nd2O3 concentration states. This model classifies the collected flame image dataset to verify the Nd2O3 concentration state during a certain period of Nd molten salt electrolysis. Experiments demonstrate that the recognition accuracy of SVM reaches 96.09%, meeting the monitoring requirements of the Nd molten salt electrolysis process.

Synthesis of CuO Thin Film Incorporated with Nanostructured Nd2O3 Deposited by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Ammonia Sensing Applications

This study involved depositing thin films of copper oxide (CuO) and copper oxide films incorporated with neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) in various weight ratios using the pulsed laser deposition technique to fabricate an ammonia gas sensor. The characteristics of the developed films were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) techniques. The study investigated the impact of incorporating Nd2O3 into the CuO film on its sensing characteristics. The X-ray analysis revealed a polycrystalline structure of CuO with a crystal size of 19 nanometers. Furthermore, incorporating CuO and Nd2O3 formed a mixed phase comprised of both CuO and Nd2O3. The average crystallite size varied with the Nd2O3 incorporation rate from 19[Formula: see text]nm to 14.7[Formula: see text]nm. With increasing Nd2O3 incorporation ratios, the surface morphology changed from smooth to spherical-like nanostructures, and the average particle sizes varied from 28[Formula: see text]nm to 130[Formula: see text]nm. The PL spectrum analysis results confirmed that the incorporation of Nd2O3 resulted in a change in the peak intensity of the PL spectrum, with a significant increase in the peak associated with oxygen vacancies, contributing to the improvement of the sensor response. The incorporation of Nd2O3 greatly enhanced the sensitivity of the as-deposited CuO film. The sample with 5 wt.% Nd2O3 exhibited the maximum sensitivity, reaching 180% against 79 ppm NH3 at a working temperature of 50[Formula: see text]C.

A Sustainable Process for Rare Earth Electrowinning in Chloride Based Molten Salts

Neodymium production has become increasingly important due to use of neodymium–iron–boron (NdFeB) magnets in green energy, consumer technology and defense applications. The state-of-the-art practice features a neodymium fluoride and lithium fluoride molten salt with a consumable carbon anode converting dissolved neodymium oxide and carbon to neodymium metal and CO2.1-2 The anode effect results in PFCs and CO emissions, which make the current neodymium electrowinning process unsustainable.3-4 Some attempts have been made to electrolyze the chloride salt of neodymium to produce chlorine at the anode. Chlorine is a value-added product which neither consumes the anode nor produces other deleterious GHGs. Additionally, the chloride of neodymium can be non-carbothermically produced through a spontaneous reaction with hydrochloric acid, producing only water as a side product. However, a common problem in chloride rare earth electrowinning is the low Coulombic efficiency (10-50%) obtained in lab-scale and pilot-scale efforts.5 The neodymium chloride electrolysis process notoriously encounters a two-step reduction producing an intermediate divalent (Nd2+) oxidation state which is stable in the chloride media.6-7 The intermediate neodymium species diffuses away from the cathode leading to Coulombic efficiency loss. Additionally, the kinetics of the chlorine evolution reaction (CER) in chloride molten salts are known to be relatively sluggish, causing significant anodic overpotentials which elevate the specific energy consumption during electrowinning. Furthermore, electrowinning from molten salts often produces spongy or dendritic deposits of metal requiring energy-intensive purification. In this talk, we will address all aforementioned technical hurdles and report on our efforts achieving high Coulombic efficiency (~85%), and compact deposits with superior as-electrowon neodymium metal purity (>99 wt.%). Furthermore, we will report the development of a new anode which catalyzes chlorine evolution, lowering the anodic overpotential considerably during electrolysis at high current densities of practical interest for electrowinning. Specific energy consumption is calculated for some example cases and found to be between 2.1 and 3.5 kWh/kg representing a significant improvement over the conventional oxyfluoride process. Figure 1

Electrical behavior of polyvinyl alcohol filled by neodymium oxide and cadmium oxide nanoparticles synthesized via laser ablation for optoelectronic devices

Electrical behavior of polyvinyl alcohol filled by neodymium oxide and cadmium oxide nanoparticles synthesized via laser ablation for optoelectronic devices

LncRNA SNHG5/IGF2BP1/Occludin axis regulates Nd2O3 induced blood-testis barrier disruption

Neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) is a rare earth element that can lead to various type of tissue and organ damage with prolonged exposure. The long noncoding RNA small nucleolar ribonucleic acid host gene 5 (lncRNA SNHG5) plays a role in disease progressiong. However, its connection with Nd2O3 induced reproductive harm in males has not been thoroughly investigated. Our research discovered that exposure to Nd2O3 increases the expression of SNHG5 in the testes of mice, which in turn binds directly to and reduces in the protein levels of insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) both in vivo and in vitro. This process disrupts the cytoskeleton of blood-testis barrier(BTB) by impacting the stability of the tight junction protein Occludin (Ocln) mRNA structure and the permeability of the BTB. In summary, our study elucidates the regulatory mechanism of SNHG5/IGF2BP1/Occludin axis in Nd2O3-induced BTB injury, providing valuable insights for the treatment of male infertility.

Enhancing photocatalytic dye degradation efficiency through the utilization of shock wave effects on neodymium oxide (Nd2O3)

This article delves into the impact of shockwaves on neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) nanoparticles, aiming to evaluate their physical and chemical stability. Nd2O3 nanoparticles were subjected to varying sets of shock pulses (100, 200, and 300) in photocatalytic dye degradation. The nanoparticles crystallinity and unit cell volume after shockwave exposure were examined using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis with unit-cell software. PXRD data revealed no alterations in the crystalline structure, lattice parameter and unit cell volume. Comparisons between pre- and post-shockwave field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) portraying data demonstrate that repeated shockwave application causes a decrease in particle size. Raman spectroscopy, under ambient conditions, shows a high intensity after shock conditions intensity will decrease. Furthermore, FTIR spectroscopy revealed the characteristic strong and broad absorption band associated with metal-oxygen (Nd-O) groups in the Nd2O3 nanoparticles. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was used to investigate the bandgap of the Nd2O3 nanoparticles. Initially, the bandgap was measured at 5.96 eV under ambient conditions, but following the shockwave exposure, it was decreased to approximately 5.91 eV. Interestingly, the surface area of the shockwave-treated Nd2O3 nanoparticles is increased and exhibited an increased efficiency in photocatalytic dye degradation. This finding holds promising implications for environmental remediation applications.

Enhancing high‐temperature mechanics and degradation for phthalonitrile resin via constructing rare earth oxide supported low melt‐point molten oxide

AbstractIn order to improve the comprehensive performance of thermosetting phthalonitrile resin (PN) composites, a novel molten hybrid (Nd2O3@DM35) was successfully prepared by loading Neodymium Oxide (Nd2O3) on the surface of low melt‐point molten oxide (DM35). In thermal gravimetric analysis, the addition of 30 wt% Nd2O3@DM35 postponed the temperature of 5% mass loss (T5%) of PN hybrid (PN‐NdD30) from 485 to 521°C. A series of thermal aging experiments were designed to prove the thermal stability of modified PN. The surface morphology of PN‐NdD30 was mostly maintained after thermal aging. Compared with pure PN, the flexural strength (FS) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of PN‐NdD30 composites at room temperature increased by 31.4% and 32.8%, respectively. After aging at 400°C for 20 min, the FS and ILSS retention rates of PN‐NdD30 composites were 78.4% and 91.5%, respectively. In this work, the introduction of novel hybrid improved the thermal stability of PN composites, while enhancing their mechanical properties at different temperatures. Based on all the results, the heat resistance and mechanical mechanism of PN‐NdD30 composites were carefully analyzed.Highlights A molten hybrid was prepared by Nd2O3 and low melt‐point molten oxide. The novel hybrid can form a continuous protective layer at high temperatures. In the aging test, the mass loss of PN‐NdD30 was significantly reduced. Mechanical properties of PN composites at different temperatures were improved. A novel molten concept was introduced in the heat resistance modification of PN.

Impact of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) substitution in barium–boron-phosphate glasses: A pathway to superior mechanical, optical, and radiation shielding performance

This study delves into the impact of substituting Nd2O3 for Na2O in Barium–Boron-Phosphate glasses, aiming to enhance their mechanical strength, optical characteristics, and radiation shielding efficacy. Glasses with a composition of 50B2O3 + 20P2O5 + 20BaO + (10-x)Na2O + xNd2O3 (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 mol%) were synthesized and characterized. The findings indicate that as the Nd/Na ratio increases, the density of the glass also rises within the range of 3.77–4.23 g/cm3. Moreover, the addition of Nd leads to notable alterations in the optical characteristics of the resulting glasses. Specifically, there is a shift observed in the UV absorption edges, coupled with a noticeable increase in absorption at visible wavelengths. Moreover, Nd2O3 addition reduced the Urbach energy (from 0.6018 to 0.2239 eV for Nd0-Nd4) and the optical band gap indicating improved electronic structure and decreased disorder. The mechanical properties studied using the Makishima-Mackenzie model show As the replacement ratio of Nd2O3 increases, there is a noticeable improvement in the glass's mechanical robustness. Importantly, Glasses with high Nd/Na ratio in their composition exhibit enhanced radiation shielding capabilities, evidenced by increased mass attenuation coefficients and effective removal cross-sections for photons and fast neutrons, respectively. These findings suggest that Nd2O3-doped glasses offer a promising pathway for developing superior radiation shielding materials with tailored properties for diverse applications in nuclear facilities, medical devices, and space exploration equipment.

Para-Nitrophenol detection by an electrochemical approach based on two-dimensional binary metal oxides ZrO2-Nd2O3 nanorod fabricated with PEDOT:PSS onto glassy carbon electrode

In this approach, a wet chemical method was employed to synthesize the nanorods (NRs) of Zirconium oxide − Neodymium Oxide (ZrO2-Nd2O3) in an aqueous solution. Comprehensive characterizations encompassing ultraviolet/visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV/vis DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), alongside field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), were applied for optical, elemental, morphological, and structural analyses of resultant material. To fabricate a highly selective and ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensor for para-Nitrophenol (para-NP) in the presence of other interfering toxic chemicals, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a thin layer of ZrO2-Nd2O3NRs. Poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) served as an adhesive conducting binder in this modification process. Subsequently, we introduced a novel electrochemical approach for the first time for the detection of para-NP by making use of newly developed ZrO2-Nd2O3-NRs/PEDOT:PSS/GCE as selective para-NP electrochemical sensor in an aqueous medium. This innovative electrochemical approach exhibited remarkable electrochemical responses, featuring high sensitivity and long-term stability when applied to para-NP detection. The calibration curve demonstrated linearity across broad linear dynamic range (LDR) spanning para-NP concentrations from 0.1 pM to 0.1 mM. Key analytical parameters, including limit of detection (LOD) at signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 3, limit of quantification (LOQ), and sensitivity, were determined to be 0.0141 pM, 0.047 pM, and 0.67 μAμM-1cm−2, respectively, based also on the gradient of calibration plot. This sensor holds significant promise for real sample analysis aimed at preserving the natural environment. So, this study introduces a novel and well-structured approach to the development of a highly sensitive para-NP sensor utilizing ZrO2-Nd2O3-NRs/PEDOT:PSS/GCE, employing a reliable electrochemical approach.

Incorporation of neodymium, holmium, erbium, and samarium (oxides) in zinc-borotellurite glass: Physical and optical comparative analysis

Investigating the effect of different types of rare-earth oxides on zinc borotellurite glass is important to determine the potential application in optical devices. The addition of rare-earth oxides in zinc borotellurite glass is well-known to enhance the optical properties due to the effects of 4f-4f transitions. In this work, we aim to compare the effect of different rare-earth oxides on zinc borotellurite glass denoted as ZBTNd, ZBTHo, ZBTEr and ZBTSm. The glass samples were successfully fabricated via the melt-quenched technique. The physical investigation of the glasses has been done by measuring the density and molar volume. It was found that ZBTNd glass has the lowest density than the other glasses due to the small atomic radius in neodymium oxide. High-density value for ZBTHo glass shows potential to be used as radiation shielding properties. The high value of molar volume for ZBTNd glass is advantageous for fiber optics as ZBTNd glass has good performance in elasticity. It was found that ZBTEr has a lower refractive index than the other glasses due to low dispersion characteristics. However, ZBTEr glass has good performance to be used in optical communication applications. It was found that the optical absorption shifts to a longer wavelength beginning from ZBTEr > ZBTHo > ZBTNd > ZBTSm. The optical band gap energy for ZBTEr glass is higher than the other glasses due to the Coulomb repulsion energy for erbium which is greater than neodymium and samarium and slightly higher than holmium. The pattern of electronic polarizability for all glasses was found as follows ZBTSm>ZBTNd>ZBTEr>ZBTHo. The optical basicity for ZBTEr was found highest which indicates a higher acidity, meanwhile, the ZBTNd glass has the lowest value which corresponds to a higher basicity.

Superior electrochemical performance of metal ligand framework-neodymium oxide composite for energy storage devices

Battery supercapacitor hybrids are gaining increasing importance in the realm of energy storage, driven by their exceptional electrochemical attributes, where the choice of electrode material emerges as a paramount factor for their efficacy. Here the enhancement in the electrochemical activity from the synergistic effect produced by combining copper benzene tetra carboxylate with neodymium oxide (Cu-1,3,5-BTC/Nd2O3) along with the individual samples Cu-1,3,5-BTC, and Nd2O3, is studied via various electrochemical measurements which includes CV, GCD and EIS in half cell assembly and for real-world applications in full cell assembly. The hybrid device achieved a specific capacity (Qs) of 390 C/g with an energy density (Es) of 91 Wh/kg and power density (Ps) of 5950 W/kg respectively. Semi-empirical approaches such as linear and quadratic models were further employed and compared to scrutinize the CV curves and to deconvolute the capacitive and diffusive contribution.

A Study on the Production of Anhydrous Neodymium Chloride through the Chlorination Reaction of Neodymium Oxide and Ammonium Chloride

The chlorination mechanism of neodymium oxide for the production of anhydrous neodymium chloride was analyzed based on the reaction temperature and reaction ratio of ammonium chloride, considering the suppression of the generation of NdOCl, an intermediate product of the reaction process. The results were obtained by distinguishing the shape of the produced NdCl3 (powder and bulk) and the setup of the chlorination equipment, reflecting its sensitivity to moisture and oxygen. The powdered form of NdCl3 produced at 400 °C and under argon gas flow was identified as NdCl3·6(H2O), while the bulk form of NdCl3 produced by melting at 760 °C after a chlorination process consisted of anhydrous NdCl3 and NdCl3∙n(H2O). The powdered NdCl3 produced in an argon gas environment with a controlled level of oxygen (below 16.05 ppm) and moisture (below 0.01 ppm) content was identified as single-phase anhydrous NdCl3 and showed the highest chlorination conversion rate of 98.65%. The addition of overstoichiometric ratios of NH4Cl in the chlorination process decreased the total amount of impurities (N, H, and O) in the NdCl3 product and increased the conversion rate of NdCl3.