Lanthanum Nitrate Hexahydrate
LANTHANUM NITRATE, LANTHANUM NITRATE, HYDROUS, LANTHANUM NITRATE, 6-HYDRATE
- CAS
- 10277-43-7
- EC
- 600-351-5
- Sectors
- Automotive, Oil, Gas & Energy, Electronics & Solar PV, Pharma & Healthcare, Water & Wastewater Treatment
Lanthanum Nitrate Hexahydrate (La(NO₃)₃·6H₂O; MW 433.01) is a white-to-light-yellow crystalline rare earth salt with exceptionally high water solubility (1,580 g/L at 25 °C) and a low melting point of 65 °C. Supplied in Technical Grade with TREO ≥ 37.5 % and La content of 30–34 %, it is commercially available across a purity range of 2N to 5N (La₂O₃/TREO basis). Related forms include the anhydrous salt (CAS 10099-59-9) and aqueous solution (La 20–25 % w/w).
Its primary industrial function is as a lanthanum precursor for catalyst washcoats, perovskite ceramics, phosphors, and specialty chemical synthesis. The high solubility and ready La³⁺ availability make it the preferred starting material wherever controlled lanthanum incorporation into oxide matrices or solution-phase reactions is required.
Lanthanum Nitrate Hexahydrate
Applications
- Automotive: Used as a precursor for La-stabilised γ-alumina washcoats and CeZrLa oxygen-storage components in three-way and diesel exhaust catalysts, improving thermal durability of the active coating.
- Oil, Gas & Energy: Serves as a lanthanum source for FCC and reforming catalyst formulations, and as a perovskite precursor (LSM, LSCF) in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) fabrication.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Applied in the synthesis of LaPO₄:Ce,Tb green phosphors and PLZT electrooptic ceramics requiring precise, solution-derived lanthanum doping.
- Pharma & Healthcare: Functions as a key intermediate in the production of lanthanum carbonate, an active pharmaceutical ingredient manufactured via controlled precipitation routes.
- Water & Wastewater Treatment: Deployed in phosphate-removal processes and specialty coagulation treatments where soluble lanthanum salts are required for dosing.
- Automotive: Also used in specialty cement and leather/textile auxiliaries where a water-soluble rare earth salt is specified for surface or matrix modification.
Safety & Risks
Classified Danger (GHS): oxidising solid (H272), skin irritant (H315), eye irritant (H319), respiratory irritant (H335). Wear N95 Respirator, Safety Glasses, and Gloves. Store away from organics and reducing agents. Transport: UN 1477, Class 5.1.
Packaging
25 kg PE-lined fibre drums or polyethylene bags (oxidiser-rated); 500–1,000 kg big bags; IBC for aqueous solution; 1–5 kg sealed bags for high-purity lots.