It is one of the most commonly available forms of the rare-earth element gadolinium, derivatives, of which are potential contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.

[4] Gadolinium oxide can be formed by thermal decomposition of the hydroxide, nitrate, carbonate, or oxalates.

It dissolves readily in the common mineral acids with the complication that the oxalate, fluoride, sulfate and phosphate are very insoluble in water and may coat the grains of oxide, thereby preventing the complete dissolution.

The nanoparticles are always coated with a protective material to avoid the formation of larger polycrystalline aggregates.

[7][8][9] Nanoparticles of gadolinium oxide is a potential contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).