Cerium(III) carbonate hydrate
[CAS# 54451-25-1]

Identification

• Classification: Inorganic chemical industry >> Inorganic salt >> Carbides and carbonates
• Name: Cerium(III) carbonate hydrate
• Molecular Formula: Ce2(CO₃)₃.H₂O
• Molecular Weight: 478.27
• CAS Registry Number: 54451-25-1
• EC Number: 676-523-9
• SMILES: C(=O)([O-])[O-].C(=O)([O-])[O-].C(=O)([O-])[O-].O.[Ce+3].[Ce+3]

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07 Warning
• Risk Statements: H315-H319-H335
• Safety Statements: P261-P264-P264+P265-P271-P280-P302+P352-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338-P319-P321-P332+P317-P337+P317-P362+P364-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319

Discovery and Applications

Cerium (III) carbonate hydrate, with the chemical formula Ce2(CO3)3 ^. xH2O, is a salt of cerium. Cerium is a rare earth element with a variety of chemical properties. The discovery of cerium carbonate and its hydrates can be traced back to the early studies of rare earth chemistry and its compounds. Cerium carbonate hydrate is the result of the reaction of cerium salts with carbonate sources under controlled conditions. The synthesis is to dissolve a cerium salt (such as cerium nitrate or cerium chloride) in water and then precipitate the carbonate hydrate by adding a carbonate source (such as sodium carbonate or ammonium carbonate) to the solution. The resulting product is a white to pale yellow solid, and its hydration state varies depending on the synthesis conditions.

Cerium (III) carbonate hydrate exhibits several remarkable properties that contribute to its application: the compound is stable under normal conditions and can withstand moderate temperatures without decomposition; it is weakly soluble in water, which affects its use in water-based applications; cerium (III) carbonate hydrate has catalytic properties due to the presence of cerium (III) ions, which can participate in redox reactions and oxygen storage processes.

Cerium (III) carbonate hydrate and related cerium compounds are widely used in catalysis: Cerium compounds are components of automotive catalytic converters, oxidizing harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) into less harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The cerium (III) ions in cerium carbonate hydrate can reversibly change between Ce(III) and Ce(IV) states, allowing them to store and release oxygen in catalytic reactions. This property is essential for maintaining efficient combustion processes and reducing engine emissions.

In materials science, cerium compounds are used as additives in glass and ceramics to modify their optical properties. They can impart UV absorption capabilities, enhancing the material's resistance to UV rays. Cerium oxide, derived from cerium compounds, is used as a polishing agent for glass, optical, and semiconductor materials due to its abrasiveness and ability to achieve a high surface finish.

Cerium compounds are studied for their potential in water treatment processes. They can help remove pollutants through adsorption and catalytic decomposition reactions. Cerium-based materials are also studied for their ability to adsorb and decompose harmful gases and particles in air purification systems.

Ongoing research focuses on expanding the applications of cerium (III) carbonate hydrate: researchers are exploring nanostructured forms of cerium compounds to enhance catalytic and optical properties. Cerium compounds have redox capabilities, so they are being studied for their potential in energy storage devices such as batteries and fuel cells.

References

2024. Laying the experimental foundation for corrosion inhibitor discovery through machine learning. npj Materials Degradation, 8(1).
DOI: 10.1038/s41529-024-00435-z

2019. Synthesis and biomedical applications of nanoceria, a redox active nanoparticle. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 17(1).
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0516-9

1994. Thermal decomposition of pure and rhodium impregnated cerium(III) carbonate hydrate in different atmospheres. Catalysis Letters, 24(3-4).
DOI: 10.1007/bf00807379