Description
Specifications Table
Product Name – Scandium(III) oxide, 99.999%, (trace metal basis)
Quantity/Pack Size – 5GR
Form – Powder
Grade – 99.999% (trace metal basis)
Application – Optical coatings, ceramic additives, specialty glass manufacturing
Product Overview
Scandium(III) oxide (Sc₂O₃) at 99.999% purity represents the pinnacle of rare earth oxide quality, meticulously refined to eliminate trace metal contaminants that could compromise performance in demanding applications. This ultra-high-purity compound exhibits exceptional thermal stability up to 2485°C, making it indispensable for environments requiring extreme temperature resistance. The powder’s uniform particle distribution ensures consistent dispersion in ceramic matrices and glass formulations, while its high refractive index (1.95) enhances optical performance in thin-film applications. Unlike lower-grade alternatives, this scandium oxide undergoes rigorous spectroscopic analysis to verify its 99.999% trace metal basis purity, with residual impurities controlled at parts-per-million levels. The material’s hygroscopic nature necessitates careful handling, though its chemical inertness under normal conditions provides long-term stability in sealed containers. For researchers requiring absolute material consistency, this scandium oxide delivers lot-to-lot reproducibility that commercial-grade products cannot match, with documented certification of analysis for each batch.
FAQs
1. What distinguishes 99.999% scandium oxide from lower purity grades in performance?
The 99.999% trace metal basis specification ensures that critical impurities like iron, silicon, and titanium are reduced to less than 10 ppm combined, eliminating absorption losses in optical applications and preventing coloration in ceramic glazes that lower grades (99.9% or 99.99%) cannot avoid. This purity level also prevents catalytic poisoning in advanced material synthesis where scandium acts as a dopant.
2. Can this scandium oxide be used directly for physical vapor deposition processes?
While the powder’s fine particle size makes it suitable for e-beam evaporation, we recommend additional processing like pelletization or sputtering target preparation for uniform film deposition. The material’s high melting point requires specialized crucibles (tungsten or tantalum) to prevent contamination during vaporization.
3. What storage conditions are required to maintain the 99.999% purity over time?
Store unopened containers in a desiccator at 15-25°C with relative humidity below 30%. Once opened, reseal immediately using the provided argon backfill or transfer to a vacuum-sealed container, as prolonged exposure to ambient moisture can form scandium hydroxide on the particle surfaces, altering the oxide’s stoichiometry.
4. Are there detectable differences between this scandium oxide and material from Chinese suppliers at the same purity claim?
Independent ICP-MS analysis frequently reveals that Chinese-sourced “99.999%” scandium oxide often contains 50-100 ppm of rare earth impurities (particularly yttrium and lanthanum) that our material controls below 5 ppm. The particle morphology also differs—our product uses spherical agglomerates for better flow characteristics versus the irregular shapes common in Asian-sourced material.
5. What certification documentation accompanies each 5g pack?
Every unit includes a multi-page Certificate of Analysis with ICP-OES and ICP-MS trace metal profiles, XRD crystallinity confirmation, BET surface area measurement, and particle size distribution (D10/D50/D90 values). Unlike competitors who provide only summary data, we include raw spectroscopic graphs and lot-specific processing parameters for full transparency.
