Cerium Chloride

Rare Earth Chlorides

Cerium Chloride, with two common valence states—cerium(III) chloride (CeCl₃) and cerium(IV) chloride (CeCl₄)—is a critical group of inorganic compounds in the cerium salt family. Among them, cerium(III) chloride is the more stable and widely used form, valued for its high solubility in polar solvents, consistent chemical behavior, and broad applications in materials synthesis, catalysis, and laboratory research. Cerium(IV) chloride, by contrast, is less stable (prone to reduction to Ce³⁺ in aqueous solutions) and primarily used in specialized redox reactions. This introduction focuses on cerium(III) chloride, the dominant commercial variant, which maintains a reliable +3 oxidation state, avoiding the reactivity fluctuations of cerium(IV) compounds and making it a preferred precursor for cerium-based materials.

Commercially, Cerium(III) Chloride 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 coatings, 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., sulfate, nitrate). Even minimal contaminants can disrupt the performance of precision materials such as cerium-doped semiconductors or thin films, so strict impurity control is critical. Technical Grade, with a purity range of 95.0%–99.0%, prioritizes cost-efficiency for industrial applications like metallurgical additives, glass decolorization, and water treatment. Reagent Grade, meeting ≥99.0% purity standards, is used in laboratories for analytical chemistry, lanthanide coordination research, and small-scale synthesis of cerium compounds. At standard temperature and pressure, Cerium(III) Chloride typically exists as a white to pale yellow crystalline powder or in hydrated forms (e.g., CeCl₃·7H₂O, heptahydrate) as colorless, needle-like crystals. 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) Chloride exhibits characteristics that align with its role as a versatile precursor and functional material. The anhydrous form (CeCl₃) has a molecular weight of 246.48 g/mol, while the heptahydrate (CeCl₃·7H₂O) has a molecular weight of 372.58 g/mol. Anhydrous Cerium(III) Chloride has a bulk density of approximately 3.97 g/cm³ (for powder form), ensuring easy handling and uniform mixing in formulations, while the hydrated form has a lower bulk density of ~1.88 g/cm³ due to water content. The typical particle size of anhydrous powder ranges from 100 to 300 mesh, with finer grades (200–300 mesh) used for applications requiring high surface area, such as catalyst supports. A defining physical property is its high aqueous solubility: anhydrous CeCl₃ dissolves in water at a rate of ~97 g/100 mL at 20°C, forming clear, colorless solutions—essential for wet chemical synthesis and aqueous catalysis. The heptahydrate is even more soluble, though it exhibits strong hygroscopicity, absorbing moisture from the air to form viscous solutions if stored improperly. Anhydrous CeCl₃ also has a high melting point of ~802°C and a boiling point of ~1730°C, making it suitable for high-temperature processes like molten salt electrolysis.

Chemically, Cerium(III) Chloride is defined by its stability and typical ionic salt reactivity. As a lanthanide(III) chloride, it dissociates completely in aqueous solutions into Ce³⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, enabling participation in various ionic reactions. It is stable under normal conditions but undergoes hydrolysis in neutral or basic solutions to form insoluble cerium(III) hydroxide (Ce(OH)₃) precipitates—a reaction that requires acidic conditions (pH < 4) to prevent when preparing solutions. When heated to high temperatures in the presence of oxygen, anhydrous CeCl₃ undergoes partial oxidation to form cerium oxychloride (CeOCl) at ~400°C, and further heating above 800°C yields cerium(IV) oxide (CeO₂). This thermal behavior is used in the synthesis of cerium-based oxides for electronics. Cerium(III) Chloride reacts vigorously with strong bases (e.g., sodium hydroxide) to form Ce(OH)₃ (CeCl₃ + 3NaOH → Ce(OH)₃↓ + 3NaCl) and with carbonate salts to form cerium(III) carbonate (Ce₂(CO₃)₃). Unlike cerium(IV) chloride, it is a mild reducing agent (prone to oxidation to Ce⁴⁺ by strong oxidizers like hydrogen peroxide), which expands its utility in redox reactions but requires separation from oxidizing agents during storage.

The industrial production of Cerium(III) Chloride 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 acid dissolution process, which involves three core steps. First, raw material preparation: if using Ce₂O₃, it is crushed into fine powder (200–300 mesh) to maximize contact with acid; if using rare earth concentrates, they undergo solvent extraction to separate cerium from other rare earth elements, yielding a purified cerium(III) solution (typically nitrate or sulfate). Second, acid reaction: the prepared raw material is mixed with concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl, 30%–37% concentration) in a reaction vessel, with a molar ratio of Ce₂O₃ to HCl of ~1:6. The reaction is carried out at 80–100°C under stirring, following the equation: Ce₂O₃ + 6HCl → 2CeCl₃ + 3H₂O. This reaction is exothermic, so temperature is controlled via cooling to prevent excessive evaporation of HCl. Third, purification and crystallization: after complete reaction, the solution is filtered to remove undissolved impurities. For hydrated CeCl₃, the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 60–70°C to a concentration of 50%–60%, then cooled to 0–5°C to induce heptahydrate crystallization. For anhydrous CeCl₃, the heptahydrate is dried at 120–150°C to remove surface moisture, then further heated to 250–300°C under a dry HCl gas atmosphere to prevent hydrolysis, yielding anhydrous CeCl₃. The product is then crushed, screened to the desired particle size, and packaged according to grade specifications.

Cerium(III) Chloride’s applications span multiple industries, driven by its solubility and reactivity. In materials synthesis, it is a key precursor for cerium-based materials: anhydrous CeCl₃ is used in molten salt electrolysis to produce metallic cerium, a component in high-strength alloys for aerospace applications. It also serves as a precursor for cerium oxide (CeO₂) via thermal decomposition, which is used in solid oxide fuel cells and glass polishing agents. In the optical industry, it is added to glass formulations to improve UV absorption and reduce discoloration—cerium ions absorb UV light, making the glass suitable for solar panels and protective eyewear. In catalysis, it acts as a catalyst or promoter: in organic synthesis, it catalyzes Diels-Alder reactions and alcohol oxidations; in environmental catalysis, it enhances the activity of noble metal catalysts for NOₓ reduction in automotive exhaust. In laboratory settings, Reagent Grade CeCl₃ is used in analytical chemistry for the quantitative determination of fluoride ions (via precipitation as cerium(III) fluoride) and in lanthanide chemistry research. Additionally, it finds use in water treatment to remove phosphate ions (Ce³⁺ reacts with PO₄³⁻ to form insoluble cerium phosphate) and in metallurgy as a deoxidizer for steel production.

Safety-wise, Cerium(III) Chloride has low acute toxicity, but proper handling is required to mitigate risks. Its powder or aqueous solutions can irritate the skin and eyes: direct contact may cause redness, itching, or mild chemical burns, especially at high concentrations. Inhalation of fine dust can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to coughing or shortness of breath, so dust generation should be minimized. Anhydrous CeCl₃ reacts with water to release heat (though not violently), and it should be stored away from moisture to prevent caking. To ensure safety, operators should wear nitrile gloves, safety goggles, a lab coat, and a dust mask when handling the powder. When preparing solutions, work in a fume hood to avoid inhaling HCl fumes from residual acid. Storage should be in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, using airtight containers to prevent hygroscopic caking (for hydrated forms) or moisture absorption (for anhydrous). It should be stored separately from strong oxidizers and bases to avoid unwanted reactions. In case of skin contact, rinse with plenty of water for 15 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<50%), anhydrous Cerium(III) Chloride has a shelf life of 2–3 years, while the hydrated form has a shelf life of 1–2 years. Expired products may show reduced solubility, caking, or increased impurity levels and should be tested before use.

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

Key Features:

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

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

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

Chemical industry catalysts: Cerium chloride, as an important Lewis acid catalyst, is widely used in organic synthesis reactions, such as the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction. Moreover, it is also a key raw material for preparing other cerium-based catalysts (such as cerium trifluoromethanesulfonate).

Pond Phosphorus Removal Agent: Cerium chloride can be used in water treatment to remove phosphate from water bodies, helping to address the problem of eutrophication.

Batteries and energy materials: Cerium chloride can be used as a precursor to prepare hydrogen storage alloy materials for nickel-metal hydride batteries. It also plays an important role in the synthesis of new energy materials such as perovskite solar cells.

Chemical synthesis intermediates: Cerium chloride is the basic raw material for the production of metallic cerium and other cerium compounds (such as various cerium salts). In organic synthesis, it can be used in the alkylation reaction of ketones and the Luche reduction reaction.

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