Lanthanum (La) Nanoparticles - Properties, Applications

Nanoparticles possess not only excellent structural features but also very good functional capabilities.

Lanthanum is a Block F, Period 6 element. It is found in certain rare-earth minerals, and is the second most abundant of all the rare earths. Lanthanum nanoparticles are graded as dangerous. They release flammable gases when in contact with water, which could ignite spontaneously.

Chemical Properties

The chemical properties of lanthanum nanoparticles are outlined in the following table.

Physical Properties

The physical properties of lanthanum nanoparticles are given in the following table.

Thermal Properties

The thermal properties of lanthanum nanoparticles are provided in the table below.

Applications

The main applications of lanthanum nanoparticles are listed below:

• In fuel cell functions such as in the cathode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC)
• For phosphate removal in biomedical and environmental uses
• As a heat block in glass using lanthanum hexaboride
• In coatings, phosphors, nanophosphors and doped phosphorous nanoparticles
• In plastics, nanofibers, nanowires, and textiles
• In certain alloy and catalyst applications
• As catalysts and additives in glass
• In carbon lighting for studio lighting and projection
• As ignition elements in lighters and torches
• In electron cathodes and scintillators.

Researchers state that lanthanide-based nanoparticles have the capacity to be used as luminescent materials. Another potential application is using inorganic fluorophores, such as lanthanide compounds to replace organic dyes. This concept could be used for synthesizing efficient luminescent multifunctional nanoprobes as lanthanide ions exhibit advantageous optical properties.

Source: AZoNano