• Resources Recycling
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• v.16 no.2 s.76
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• pp.23-31
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• 2007

In this study, the crystallization of neodymium carbonate from neodymium chloride solution by addition of ammonium bicarbonate was investigated. The concentration of reactants such as neodymium chloride and ammonium bicarbonate, and reaction temperature play an important part in order to obtain the crystal of neodymium carbonate. It seemed that amorphous neodymium carbonate was prepared by aggregation of primary particles formed through nucleation. If reaction rate was increased by increasing the concentration of reactants and reaction temperature, then neodymium carbonate crystal could be obtained. Lanthanite-type neodymium carbonate[$Nd_2(CO_3)_3{\cdot}8H_2O$] and tengerite-type neodymium carbonate[$Nd_2(CO_3)_3{\cdot}2.5H_2O$] could be obtained with reaction renditions. Lanthanite-type neodymium carbonate was sensitive to temperature. The thermal decomposition of neodymium carbonate contained the processes or dehydration, decarbonation and crystalization of $Nd_2O_3$. The shape of lanthanite-type neodymium carbonate was irregular lump type, and tengerite-type neodymium carbonate had the shape of needle type. The shape of $Nd_2O_3$ was affected by the shape of neodymium carbonate.