Praseodymium Carbonate Powder (Pr2(CO3)3) Description
Praseodymium Carbonate Powder (Pr₂(CO₃)₃)
is a rare earth compound characterized by its pale green crystalline appearance
and hygroscopic nature. It typically adopts a hexagonal or monoclinic crystal
structure, with praseodymium ions (Pr³⁺) coordinated by carbonate (CO₃²⁻)
groups in layered arrangements. The powder exhibits moderate solubility in
water but readily reacts with acids, decomposing to release CO₂ gas and form
praseodymium salts. Thermally, it demonstrates controlled decomposition
behavior, beginning at around 300-400°C, where it undergoes calcination to
produce praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁) and carbon dioxide. This process is
critical for generating high-purity oxide precursors used in advanced
materials.
The material’s density ranges
between 4.5-5.0 g/cm³, and its particle morphology varies from irregular
microcrystals to nanoscale aggregates depending on synthesis methods. It
displays weak paramagnetism due to Pr³⁺ ions’ unpaired electrons, though this
property is less pronounced compared to other rare-earth compounds. Pr₂(CO₃)₃
is hygroscopic, gradually absorbing moisture in humid environments, which can
alter its surface reactivity. Chemically, it acts as a mild base, reacting with
strong acids to form soluble praseodymium salts while maintaining stability in
neutral or weakly alkaline conditions.
Handling requires precautions to
avoid inhalation of fine particles, as prolonged exposure may irritate the respiratory
system. Its unique combination of thermal decomposition controllability, redox
activity, and structural adaptability makes it a versatile intermediate in
materials science and industrial processes.
Praseodymium Carbonate Powder (Pr2(CO3)3) Applications
1. Catalyst Precursors: Praseodymium carbonate serves as a
key precursor for synthesizing praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁), which is used in
automotive exhaust catalysts and methane oxidation reactions due to its redox
activity and oxygen storage capacity.
2. Optical Glass Manufacturing: Incorporated as an additive
in specialized optical glasses, it imparts UV-absorption properties and adjusts
refractive indices, critical for lenses, laser components, and
radiation-shielding windows.
3. Functional Ceramics: Used in producing praseodymium-doped
ceramics for electronic components (e.g., capacitors, sensors), where its
thermal decomposition behavior ensures precise stoichiometry and enhanced
dielectric properties.
4. Magnetic Materials: Acts as an intermediate in
synthesizing praseodymium-based magnets and alloys, contributing to
high-performance magnetic systems in motors and data storage devices.
5. Environmental Remediation: Demonstrates potential in
heavy metal adsorption (e.g., arsenic or fluoride removal) due to Pr³⁺
coordination with pollutants, though less common than La/Ce-based counterparts.
6. Energy Storage: Explored in solid oxide fuel cells
(SOFCs) as a component in electrolyte or electrode materials, leveraging its
ionic conductivity and thermal stability.
7. Pigments and Coatings: Praseodymium carbonate-derived
compounds are used in yellow ceramic pigments and corrosion-resistant coatings,
valued for their color stability and chemical inertness.
Praseodymium Carbonate Powder (Pr2(CO3)3) Packaging
Our products are packaged in customized cartons of various
sizes based on the material dimensions. Small items are securely packed in PP
boxes, while larger items are placed in custom wooden crates. We ensure strict
adherence to packaging customization and the use of appropriate cushioning
materials to provide optimal protection during transportation.

Packaging: Carton, Wooden Box, or Customized.
Kindly review the packaging
details provided for your reference.
Manufacturing Process
1. Testing Method
(1) Chemical Composition Analysis - Verified using techniques
such as GDMS or XRF to ensure compliance with purity requirements.
(2) Mechanical Properties Testing - Includes tensile strength,
yield strength, and elongation tests to assess material performance.
(3) Dimensional Inspection - Measures thickness, width, and
length to ensure adherence to specified tolerances.
(4) Surface Quality Inspection - Checks for defects such as
scratches, cracks, or inclusions through visual and ultrasonic examination.
(5) Hardness Testing - Determines material hardness to confirm
uniformity and mechanical reliability.
Please refer to the SAM testing procedures for detailed information.
Praseodymium Carbonate Powder (Pr2(CO3)3) FAQs
Q1. What are the primary applications of Praseodymium
Carbonate Powder?
Pr₂(CO₃)₃ is widely used to synthesize praseodymium oxide
(Pr₆O₁₁) for catalysts, optical glass additives, functional ceramics, and
magnetic materials. It also shows potential in environmental remediation and energy
storage technologies.
Q2. What is the physical form and recommended storage
condition?
The powder appears as a pale green, hygroscopic
microcrystalline material. Store in a sealed container in a dry, cool
environment (temperature <30°C, humidity <50%) to prevent moisture
absorption.
Q3. Is it stable at high temperatures?
Yes. It decomposes controllably at 300-400°C to form
praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁) and CO₂, making it suitable for high-temperature
processes like catalyst precursor preparation.
Related Information
1. Common Preparation Methods
The preparation of praseodymium carbonate powder typically
involves advanced synthetic strategies tailored to achieve desired structural,
morphological, or functional properties. A common method is the coprecipitation
technique, where aqueous solutions of praseodymium salts (e.g., PrCl₃ or
Pr(NO₃)₃) are mixed with a carbonate source such as sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
or ammonium bicarbonate under controlled pH conditions (usually alkaline, pH 9-11).
The reaction results in the formation of a pale green precipitate, which is
then filtered, thoroughly washed to remove residual ions, and dried at moderate
temperatures (60-100°C) to yield fine crystalline powder. Parameters like
reaction temperature, stirring rate, and precursor concentration critically
influence particle size and crystallinity.
For applications requiring enhanced surface area or
hierarchical porosity, templating methods are employed. Surfactants such as
sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or block copolymers act as structure-directing
agents, guiding the assembly of praseodymium and carbonate ions into ordered
frameworks. After precipitation, the template is removed via calcination or
solvent extraction, leaving behind materials with tailored pore structures ideal
for catalysis or adsorption.
Another approach involves supported composite synthesis,
where praseodymium carbonate is deposited onto substrates like activated
carbon, silica, or biochar to improve stability and recyclability. For
instance, biochar derived from biomass is impregnated with praseodymium salt
solutions, followed by carbonate precipitation under alkaline conditions. The
composite is then thermally treated to enhance adhesion and activity,
particularly useful in environmental remediation processes.
To produce nanoscale particles with uniform morphology,
solvothermal or hydrothermal methods are utilized. Precursor solutions
containing praseodymium salts and urea (as a precipitant) are sealed in
autoclaves and heated to 120-200°C. The high-pressure, high-temperature
environment promotes controlled crystal growth, yielding nanoparticles with
high purity and narrow size distribution, suitable for specialized applications
like optics or energy storage.
Key characterization techniques include X-ray diffraction
(XRD) for phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological
assessment, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to study decomposition
behavior. Method selection depends on the target application: coprecipitation
offers scalability for industrial production, templating optimizes surface
properties, and solvothermal synthesis prioritizes nanoscale precision.
Adjusting synthesis parameters (e.g., pH, surfactants, thermal profiles)
enables fine-tuning of material performance, ensuring versatility across
diverse technological applications.