This work introduces into the chemistry, materials science and technology of Rare Earth Elements. The chapters by experienced lecturers describe comprehensively the recent studies of their characteristics, properties and applications in functional materials. Due to the broad range of covered topics as hydrogen storage materials, LEDs or permanent magnets this work gives an up-to-date presentation of this fascinating research.

• Preface
• Contents
• List of contributors
• 1. The elements
• 1.1 Discovery of the rare-earth elements
• 1.2 Rare-earth minerals and rare-earth mining
• 1.3 Rare earth resources and processing
• 1.4 Rare earth metal production and refinement
• 1.5 Recycling aspects – magnets
• 1.6 Recycling aspects – phosphors
• 1.7 The structures of the elements
• 1.8 Electronic properties of the lanthanide ions
• 2. Reactivity and compounds
• 2.1 Halides of trivalent lanthanides
• 2.2 Lanthanide compounds with tetrahedral oxoanions
• 2.3 Lanthanide compounds with low valence
• 2.4 Intermetallic compounds
• 2.5 Polyoxometalates
• 2.6 Coordination chemistry
• 2.7 Organometallic rare-earth chemistry
• 3. Characterization and properties
• 3.1 Analysis of rare-earth metals and their species
• 3.2 Rare earth toxicology
• 3.3 Rare earths magnetism – condensed matter
• 3.4 Rare earth magnetism – molecules
• 3.5 Optical characterization
• 3.6 Solid-state NMR and Mößbauer spectroscopy
• 3.7 Rare-earth ion spin dynamics as a source of structural information
• 3.8 Electrical and dielectric properties
• 4. Materials and applications
• 4.1 Optical materials – molecules
• 4.2 Optical materials – microcrystalline powders
• 4.3 Optical materials – ceramics
• 4.4 Crystal growth of rare-earth doped and rare-earth containing materials
• 4.5 Medical applications of rare earth compounds
• 4.6 Rare earth-based scintillators
• 4.7 Rare earth metals in heterogeneous catalysis
• 4.8 Materials for solid state cooling
• 4.9 Rare earth metal-based hydride materials
• 4.10 Lanthanide nanoparticles and their biological applications
• 4.11 Rare-earth-based hybrid materials
• 4.12 Rare earth based superconducting materials
• 4.13 Rare-earth-containing glasses
• 4.14 Bioinorganic chemistry of the elements
• 4.15 Economic aspects
• Subject Index
• Formula Index