View larger

• 

Display all pictures

Chemical formula: Nd2O3

Appearance: light blue-grey hexagonal crystal

Density: 7.24 g/cm3

Melting point: 2,233 °C (4,051 °F; 2,506 K)

Boiling Point: 3,760 °C (6,800 °F; 4,030 K)

Solubility in water: .

Applications:

1. Neodymium (III) oxide is used for doping glass (including sunglasses), manufacturing solid-state lasers, and colouring glass and enamel. Neodymium doped glass turns purple due to absorption of yellow and green light and is used in welding goggles. Some neodymium-doped glass is dichroic; that is, it changes colour depending on the illumination.

2. Neodymium (III) oxide is also used as a polymerisation catalyst.