Erbium oxide (CAS: 12061-16-4) 

Erbium(III) oxide, is synthesized from the transition metal erbium. It was

partially isolated by Carl Gustaf Mosander in 1843, and first obtained in

pure form in 1905 by Georges Urbain and Charles James. It has a pink

color with a cubic crystal structure. Under certain conditions erbium oxide

can also have a hexagonal form. Erbium oxide is toxic when inhaled, taken

orally, or injected into the blood stream in massive amounts. The effect of

erbium oxides in low concentrations on humans over long periods of time

has not been determined. However, this compound should be handled with care.

Reactions

Erbium metal tarnishes slowly in air. Erbium burns readily to form erbium (III) oxide:

Formation of erbium oxide: 4 Er + 3 O2 → 2 Er2O3 Erbium oxide is insoluble in

water and soluble in mineral acids. Er2O3 readily absorb moisture and carbon dioxide

from the atmosphere. It can react with acids to form the corresponding erbium(III) salts.

Reaction with hydrochloric acid: Er2O3 + 6 HCl → 2 ErCl3 + 3 H2O

Properties

One interesting property of erbium oxides is their ability to up convert energy. Energy

up conversion takes place when infrared or visible radiation, low energy light, is

converted to ultraviolet or violet radiation higher energy light via multiple transfer or

absorption of energy. Erbium oxide nanoparticles also possess photoluminescence

properties. Erbium oxide nanoparticles can be formed by applying ultrasound (20 kHz,

29 W·cm−2) in the presence of multiwall carbon nanotubes. The erbium oxide

nanoparticles that have been successfully made by employing ultrasound are erbium

carboxioxide, hexagonal and spherical geometry erbium oxide. Each ultrasonically

formed erbium oxide is photoluminescence in the visible region of the electromagnetic

spectrum under excitation of 379 nm in water. Hexagonal erbium oxide photoluminescence

is long lived and allows higher energy transitions (4S3/2 -4I15/2). Spherical erbium oxide

does not experience 4S3/2 – 4I15/2 energy transitions.