Gallium (III) nitrate is a white crystal or powder. It is stable, an oxidiser, and a combustible material. It is incompatible with reducing agents.
Gallium nitrate is employed to improve cultural selectivity of medically significant fungi by suppression of contaminating bacterial flora. Gallium nitrate may be used as an antineoplastic agent and also as an acting agent for the treatment of bone-resorptive diseases.
Gallium(III) nitrate hydrate is the potential precursor for the synthesis of other gallium compounds. It finds application in the preparation of gallium nitride, which is used as a solar cell array for satellites. In the field of pharmaceutical industry, it is used to treat symptomatic hypercalcemia by preventing the breakdown of bone by slowing osteoclast activity.
Gallium (III) nitrate hydrate was used as one of the precursors for the preparation of nanoporous TiO2–Ga2O3 binary metal oxide films and powders by sol gel method. These nanostructures can find applications in optical electronics, gas sensors etc.
Gallium nitrate is the anhydrate salt of the naturally occurring heavy metal.
