Cerium Carbonate

Rare Earth Carbonates

Cerium(III) Carbonate, chemically represented as Ce₂(CO₃)₃, is a key inorganic compound in the cerium salt family, distinguished by its low solubility in water, stable cerium(III) oxidation state, and wide-ranging applications in materials synthesis, catalysis, and the pharmaceutical industry. As a typical trivalent cerium compound, it maintains a consistent +3 valence for cerium, avoiding the redox variability of cerium(IV) compounds—this stability makes it a reliable precursor for cerium-based materials, especially in processes requiring controlled cerium release.

Commercially, Cerium(III) Carbonate is available in grades tailored to specific use cases. High-Purity Grade, with a purity of ≥99.99% (4N) and ultra-high purity variants reaching 99.999% (5N), is engineered for advanced fields like electronics, optical glass, and high-performance catalysts. This grade undergoes rigorous purification to eliminate trace impurities, including other rare earth metals (e.g., lanthanum, neodymium), heavy metals (e.g., iron, copper), and anions (e.g., chloride, sulfate). Even minimal contaminants can disrupt the performance of precision materials such as cerium-doped semiconductors or optical coatings, so strict impurity control is critical. Technical Grade, with a purity range of 95.0%–99.0%, prioritizes cost-efficiency for industrial applications like ceramic glazes, water treatment, and metallurgical additives. Reagent Grade, meeting ≥99.0% purity standards, is used in laboratories for analytical chemistry, research on lanthanide coordination, and small-scale synthesis of cerium compounds. At standard temperature and pressure, Cerium(III) Carbonate typically exists as a white to pale yellow amorphous powder or fine crystalline particles. Its light color arises from weak absorption of visible light by its ionic crystal structure, simplifying visual identification and handling in industrial and laboratory settings.

Physically, Cerium(III) Carbonate exhibits characteristics that align with its role as a precursor and functional material. It has a molecular weight of 460.25 g/mol and a bulk density of approximately 2.6 g/cm³ (for powder form), ensuring easy handling and uniform mixing in formulations. The typical particle size ranges from 100 to 500 mesh, with finer grades (300–500 mesh) used for applications requiring high surface area, such as catalyst supports. A defining physical property is its low aqueous solubility: at 20°C, it dissolves in water at a rate of only ~0.001 g/100 mL, making it insoluble for most practical purposes. However, it is soluble in strong acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid, nitric acid) to form soluble cerium(III) salts—a key trait for processes like acid leaching in material synthesis. Cerium(III) Carbonate is moderately hygroscopic, absorbing small amounts of moisture from the air to form loose aggregates, but it does not deliquesce (dissolve in absorbed moisture) under normal humidity (<60%). This hygroscopicity requires sealed storage to prevent caking, which could affect its dispersibility in downstream processes.

Chemically, Cerium(III) Carbonate is defined by its stability and reactivity with acids. Under normal conditions, it is stable in air and inert to most organic solvents, but it decomposes when heated—a behavior central to its use as a precursor. At temperatures between 300–400°C, it undergoes thermal decomposition, releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor (if hydrated) to form cerium(III) oxide (Ce₂O₃). Further heating above 600°C in air oxidizes Ce₂O₃ to cerium(IV) oxide (CeO₂), a process widely used to produce high-purity cerium oxides for electronics and catalysis. The decomposition reaction is: Ce₂(CO₃)₃ → Ce₂O₃ + 3CO₂↑ (300–400°C); 2Ce₂O₃ + O₂ → 4CeO₂ (>600°C). Cerium(III) Carbonate reacts vigorously with strong acids to form cerium(III) salts, carbon dioxide, and water. For example, with nitric acid: Ce₂(CO₃)₃ + 6HNO₃ → 2Ce(NO₃)₃ + 3CO₂↑ + 3H₂O. This reaction is used in laboratory synthesis of cerium(III) nitrates and in industrial acid leaching processes. Unlike cerium(IV) compounds, it is not a strong oxidizer, reducing the risk of hazardous reactions with organic materials—a safety advantage in handling and storage.

The industrial production of Cerium(III) Carbonate primarily uses cerium-rich raw materials, such as purified cerium(III) oxide (Ce₂O₃) or cerium-containing rare earth concentrates. The most common method is the precipitation process, which involves three core steps. First, raw material dissolution: if using cerium(III) oxide, it is dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid (10%–20% concentration) at 60–80°C under stirring to form a cerium(III) chloride solution. If using rare earth concentrates, they undergo solvent extraction to separate cerium from other rare earth elements, yielding a purified cerium(III) solution (typically chloride or nitrate). Second, precipitation: a carbonate source (e.g., ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)) is slowly added to the cerium(III) solution at 20–40°C, with the pH controlled between 7–8 to ensure complete precipitation of Cerium(III) Carbonate. The reaction for cerium(III) chloride and ammonium carbonate is: 2CeCl₃ + 3(NH₄)₂CO₃ → Ce₂(CO₃)₃↓ + 6NH₄Cl. The precipitation is stirred for 1–2 hours to promote particle growth and reduce impurity inclusion. Third, purification and drying: the precipitated Cerium(III) Carbonate is filtered, then washed repeatedly with deionized water to remove residual salts (e.g., NH₄Cl, NaCl). The wet cake is dried at 80–120°C in a vacuum oven to avoid oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV), resulting in a dry powder. The product is then crushed, screened to the desired particle size, and packaged according to grade specifications.

Cerium(III) Carbonate’s applications span multiple industries, driven by its low solubility, thermal decomposition behavior, and reactivity. In materials synthesis, it is a key precursor for high-purity cerium oxides (Ce₂O₃, CeO₂): thermal decomposition produces CeO₂ used in solid oxide fuel cells (as an electrolyte), automotive exhaust catalysts (for NOₓ reduction), and polishing agents for glass and semiconductors. In the optical industry, it is added to glass formulations to adjust refractive index and reduce solar heat gain—cerium ions absorb ultraviolet (UV) light, making the glass suitable for sunglasses, architectural glass, and display panels. In catalysis, it acts as a catalyst support or promoter: its high surface area (when calcined to CeO₂) enhances the activity of noble metal catalysts (e.g., platinum) in hydrogenation reactions and VOC (volatile organic compound) oxidation. In water treatment, it is used to remove phosphate ions: Ce(III) reacts with PO₄³⁻ to form insoluble cerium phosphate (CePO₄), preventing eutrophication in lakes and wastewater systems. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is studied for potential medicinal applications, such as antioxidant supplements—Ce(III) ions scavenge free radicals, though commercial use is still in research stages. Additionally, it is used in ceramic glazes to produce ivory or cream colors, and in metallurgy as a deoxidizer for steel and aluminum alloys.

Safety-wise, Cerium(III) Carbonate has low acute toxicity, but proper handling is required to mitigate risks. Its powder can irritate the skin and eyes: direct contact may cause redness or mild itching, though it is less corrosive than cerium(IV) compounds. Inhalation of fine dust can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to coughing or shortness of breath, so dust generation should be minimized. It is stable under normal storage conditions but may oxidize to Ce(IV) if heated in air above 120°C, forming CeO₂ and releasing CO₂—this is not hazardous but reduces product purity. To ensure safety, operators should wear nitrile gloves, safety goggles, a lab coat, and a dust mask when handling the powder. Storage should be in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, using airtight containers to prevent moisture absorption and caking. It should be stored separately from strong acids (to avoid unwanted reactions) and oxidizing agents (to prevent Ce(III) oxidation). In case of skin contact, rinse with plenty of water for 10 minutes; for eye contact, flush with water and seek medical attention if irritation persists. If inhaled, move to fresh air and rest; if ingested, do not induce vomiting and consult a doctor immediately. When stored properly (15–25°C, relative humidity<60%), Cerium(III) Carbonate has a shelf life of 2–3 years. Expired products may show caking, discoloration (pale yellow to brown, indicating Ce(IV) formation), or reduced reactivity, and should be tested before use.

Descriptive:  WNX employs advanced automated production technology and uses high-quality raw materials to produce high-quality Cerium Carbonate.

Key Features:

High Purity:Cerium Carbonate contains no impurities from rare earth elements (such as iron, calcium, sodium), and the impurity content is low.

Good Solubility:Cerium Carbonate can dissolve rapidly in water and strong acids.

Consistency: The strict batch management in the production ofCerium Carbonate ensures stable quality for industrial large-scale production.

Chemical industry catalysts: Cerium carbonate is an important modifier for fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts used in petrochemicals, enhancing the efficiency of hydrocarbon conversion and the catalyst's sulfur resistance. It is also a key component of automotive exhaust purification catalysts, effectively reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons by stabilizing the oxygen storage components.

Phosphorus remover for ponds: Based on its chemical properties, cerium carbonate can effectively remove phosphate from water bodies through precipitation, which is helpful in addressing the problem of water body eutrophication.

Batteries and energy materials: Cerium carbonate, as an important rare earth compound, plays a role in the cathode material of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, providing excellent thermal stability. It is also one of the key raw materials for preparing solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and energy storage batteries.

Chemical synthesis intermediates: Cerium carbonate is an important precursor material for synthesizing other cerium compounds (such as cerium chloride, cerium oxide) and rare earth luminescent materials.

1.Neutral labels/packaging (jumbo bag of 1.000kg each net),Two bags per pallet.

2.Vacuum-sealed, then wrapped in air cushion bags, and finally packed into iron drums.

Drum: Steel drums (open-top, 45L capacity, dimensions: φ365mm × 460mm / inner diameter × outer height).

Weight per Drum: 50 kg

Palletization: 18 drums per pallet (total 900 kg/pallet).

Transport Class: Maritime transportation / Air transportation

Custom packaging available upon request