Gadolinium(III) nitride

Gadolinium(III) nitride is a binary inorganic compound of gadolinium and nitrogen with the chemical formula GdN.

Preparation
Gadolinium(III) nitride can be prepared by the direct reaction of gadolinium metal and nitrogen gas at 1600 °C and at a pressure of 1300 atm.


 * 2Gd + N2 -> 2GdN

Physical
Gadolinium(III) nitride forms a black powder. It is isomorphous with sodium chloride with the space group of Fm$\overline{3}$m.

Chemical
Gadolinium(III) nitride hydrolyzes in humid air to form gadolinium(III) hydroxide and ammonia. It is insoluble in water but soluble in acids.

Uses
Gadolinium(III) nitride is used as a semiconductor. It can also be used as a magnetic material, a catalyst in chemical reactions and a component in neutron converters for radiation detectors.