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With the growth of our manufacturing capabilities and product drying efficiencies, GFS now produces ton lots of reagents such as anhydrous cerous chloride, used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, and other synthetic precursors. Our extensive experience with all kinds of Rare Earth chemistries has made us the supplier of choice for many manufacturers of catalysts and industrial formulations. We'll address any product, any purity, any form – including nano-dispersions of Rare Earth oxides described later in this section. Let us know how we can help you.

Ceric Compounds as Analytical Reagents As a result of the pioneering research work of H.H. Willard, N.H. Furman, G. Frederick Smith, and many others, tetravalent cerium compounds are now used as standard solutions in volumetric analysis for the determination of a variety of inorganic and organic materials in routine quality control and in research work. These uses of tetra-valent cerium solutions as standard oxidizing agents have become so common that the general methods of preparing and using the solutions and their specific applications can be found in any good elementary quantitative analysis text, as well as in reference work and volumes of official methods of analysis. The reduction potential of tetra-valent cerium varies with the nature and the concentration of the acid present in the solution in which it is dissolved; it is weakest in hydrochloric acid solution (formal reduction potential, 1M HCl, Eo = 1.28 volts) and progressively stronger in sulfuric acid (Eo = 1.44 volts), nitric acid (Eo = 1.61 volts) and perchloric acid (Eo = 1.71volts). This variation in reduction potential results from the union of the cerium with the radicals of the acid to form complex anions, thus, sulfatoceric acid, H4Ce(SO4)4, and the nitratoceric acid, H2Ce(NO3)6. The corresponding ammonium salts are ammonium sulfatocerate, (NH4)4Ce(SO4)4, and ammonium hexanitratocerate, (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6. The single most important cerate compound is undoubtedly ammonium hexanitratocerate (cericammonium nitrate). By its preparation it is possible to separate cerium from the other rare earths in a single crystallization. The composition of this salt corresponds exactly to the formula (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 and the compound may be prepared of such quality as to be useful as a primary standard in oxidimetry. From it can be prepared ceric hydroxide, CeO2•2H2O, and sulfatoceric acid. Standard cerate solutions for volumetric analysis can be prepared starting with various cerate or cerous salts, the most convenient starting materials being ammonium hexanitratocerate and ceric hydroxide. The ceric hydroxide marketed by GFS is ground to 100 mesh and is especially convenient for the preparation of cerate solutions. From a research standpoint, the most active phase of cerate oxidimetry is the quantitative and stoichiometric oxidation of organic compounds. For a full treatment of the subject of the preparation and analytical applications of these materials, the reader is referred to the book, Cerate Oxidimetry, by G. Frederick Smith; this book may be obtained without charge (see page facing inside back cover). GFS Etchants Solutions of ceric ammonium nitrate in dilute perchloric acid are being widely used as etchants for preparation of printed circuits, for preparation of metal samples and for cleaning surfaces prior to fabrication by soldering. It is particularly useful for etching nichrome, monel, stainless steel and many other ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. An etchant that does not contain perchloric acid is also available. Nano-suspensions of Rare Earth Oxides In collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, GFS Chemicals has been actively involved in the use of modified flow reactor technology to develop aqueous nano-suspensions of Rare Earth and other metal oxides. Isolation of selected powder forms of novel morphologies is also being explored. As a result of this research, GFS is able to offer a variety of Rare Earth oxides as nanosuspensions in slightly alkaline aqueous medium. Studies suggest particulate size that is typically under 50 nanometers, in some cases considerably less. These materials are more fully represented in the alphabetical product section of this catalog, and listed in the Rare Earths Index that follows this section. In addition, GFS can also make available, on an "inquire/project" basis, nano-powder forms of selected metal oxides dried according to customer specifications on a confidential basis. Please contact us with your requirements. As with all GFS technologies, enjoy the advantages of working directly with the manufacturer.