A layered polymorph of rare earth hydroxides.

A layered polymorph series of rare earth hydroxides has been developed by the conversion of RE2(OH)5Cl·mH2O to RE(OH)3·nH2O (RE = rare earths) with a typical layered structure with interlayer water molecules. A temperature-induced phase transition from the layered polymorph to its hexagonal form is completed at approximately 300 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]