A study on the effects of drying conditions on the stability of NaNd(CO3)2·6H2O and NaEu(CO3)2·6H2O

The effect of different drying conditions on the stability of NaNd(CO3)·6H2O and NaEu(CO3)·6H2O and the identity of the decomposition product have been investigated. The rate of decomposition and the nature of the altered phases are dependant on the drying conditions used. When the phases are oven dried at 120 °C, the decomposition is immediate and the phase completely alters to Nd2(CO3)3 or Eu2(CO3)3 respectively. Under less severe drying conditions, the Na rare earth carbonate phases alter to Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O and Eu2(CO3)3·8H2O over a period of 24–48 h, but they can be kept indefinitely in a water saturated environment. The implications for using Nd and Eu as actinide analogues are discussed.