Gadolinium
⚕️ In Your World
Gadolinium has unique magnetic properties that make it a star in medical imaging. It is the most common contrast agent for MRI scans, helping to improve the quality and clarity of images of organs and tissues. It also has the highest neutron-capturing ability of any stable element, giving it potential uses in neutron therapy and nuclear reactor shielding.
📖 The Discovery Story
Gadolinium was discovered in 1880 by Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac, who observed its spectral lines in samples of didymium and gadolinite. The element is named after the mineral gadolinite, which in turn was named for Finnish chemist and geologist Johan Gadolin, one of the pioneers of rare earth element research.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 1313 °C / 2395 °F |
| Boiling Point | 3273 °C / 5923 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f⁷5d¹6s² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.00062% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Gadolinium metal itself has low toxicity. However, free gadolinium ions (Gd³⁺) are toxic. For medical use in MRIs, the gadolinium is tightly bound in a chelate complex, which prevents its toxicity and allows it to be safely excreted from the body. There are some concerns about gadolinium deposition in patients with kidney problems.