Products
Lanthanum
Synonyms:Lanthanum
Chemical Property of Lanthanum
● Appearance/Colour:solid
● Melting Point:920 °C(lit.)
● Boiling Point:3464 °C(lit.)
● PSA：0.00000
● Density:6.19 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
● LogP:0.00000
● Hydrogen Bond Donor Count:0
● Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count:0
● Rotatable Bond Count:0
● Exact Mass:138.906363
● Heavy Atom Count:1
● Complexity:0
Safty Information
● Pictogram(s):
F,
T
● Hazard Codes:F,T
Useful
Chemical Classes:Metals -> Rare Earth Metals
Canonical SMILES:[La]
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Detailed Introduction
Lanthanum is a chemical element with the symbol La and atomic number 57. It belongs to the group of elements known as the lanthanides, which are a series of 15 metallic elements located in the periodic table beneath the transition metals.
Lanthanum was first discovered in 1839 by the Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander when he isolated it from cerium nitrate. Its name comes from the Greek word "lanthanein," which means "to lie hidden" as lanthanum is often found combined with other elements in various minerals.
In its pure form, lanthanum is a soft, silvery-white metal that is highly reactive and easily oxidized in air. It is one of the least abundant of the lanthanide elements but is more common than elements like gold or platinum.
Lanthanum is primarily obtained from minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite, which contain a mix of rare earth elements.
Lanthanum has several notable properties that make it useful in various applications. It has a relatively high melting point and can withstand high temperatures, which makes it suitable for use in high-intensity carbon arc lamps for movie projectors, studio lighting, and other applications requiring intense light sources. It is also used in the production of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for televisions and computer monitors.
Additionally, lanthanum is utilized in the field of catalysis, where it can enhance the activity of certain catalysts used in chemical reactions. It has also found applications in the production of hybrid electric vehicle batteries, optical lenses, and as an additive in glass and ceramic materials to improve their strength and resistance to cracking.
Lanthanum compounds are used in medicine as well. Lanthanum carbonate, for example, can be prescribed as a phosphate binder to help control high phosphate levels in the blood of patients with kidney disease. It works by binding to phosphate in the digestive tract, preventing its absorption into the bloodstream.
Overall, lanthanum is a versatile element with a range of applications in industries such as lighting, electronics, catalysis, materials science, and medicine. Its unique properties and reactivity make it valuable in various technological and scientific fields.
Application
Lanthanum has several applications across various industries due to its unique properties:
Lighting: Lanthanum is used in the production of carbon arc lamps, which are used in film projectors, studio lighting, and searchlights. These lamps produce a bright, intense light, making them suitable for applications that require high-intensity illumination.
Electronics: Lanthanum is used in the production of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for televisions and computer monitors. CRTs use an electron beam to create images on a screen, and lanthanum is employed in the electron gun of these devices.
Batteries: Lanthanum is used in the manufacture of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are commonly used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Lanthanum-nickel alloys are part of the battery's negative electrode, contributing to its performance and capacity.
Optics: Lanthanum is used in the production of specialized optical lenses and glasses. It can enhance the refractive index and dispersion properties of these materials, making them useful in applications such as camera lenses and telescopes.
Automotive Catalysts: Lanthanum is used as a catalyst in the exhaust systems of vehicles. It helps convert harmful emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC), into less harmful substances.
Glass and Ceramics: Lanthanum oxide is used as an additive in the production of glass and ceramic materials. It imparts excellent heat and shock resistance properties, making the final products more durable and less prone to damage.
Medicinal Applications: Lanthanum compounds, such as lanthanum carbonate, are used in medicine as phosphate binders in the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease. These compounds bind to phosphate in the digestive tract, preventing its absorption into the bloodstream.
Metallurgy: Lanthanum can be added to certain alloys to improve their strength and high-temperature resistance. It is used in the production of specialized metals and alloys for applications such as aerospace and high-performance engines.
These are just a few examples of lanthanum applications. Its unique properties make it valuable in various industries, contributing to advancements in technology, energy, optics, and healthcare.
