Abstract
Neodymium compounds were prepared by mixing Nd(NO3)3 solution with hexamethylenetetramine (HMT), urea and NH4OH. The precipitates were characterized by TG-DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, IR and SEM. The composition of precipitate formed by the HMT method was Nd(OH)3 and that by the urea method was NdCO3OH. The difference in chemical composition was due to the presence of CO2 in the decomposition product of urea. The particle size of precipitate by the HMT method was uniform but smaller than that by the urea method. Consequently, the powder formed by HMT method was sintered to the highest density at 1300°C.
