Gadolinium (Gd) — Element 64

64 Gd 157.25

Gadolinium

Element 64 · 157.25 u · f-block

lanthanide

Has the highest neutron absorption of any element. Used as MRI contrast agent and in nuclear reactor shielding.

Phase (STP)

Solid

Melting Point

1312 °C

Boiling Point

3273 °C

Density

7.895 g/cm³

Electronegativity

1.2

Atomic Radius

180 pm

Ionization Energy

593 kJ/mol

Electron Affinity

13 kJ/mol

Discovered

1880 · Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac

Electron Configuration

[Xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2