Lanthanum Fluoride

Rare Earth Fluorides

Lanthanum Fluoride, chemically represented as LaF3 (existing primarily in an anhydrous crystalline form under ambient conditions), is a key inorganic compound in the lanthanide fluoride family. Distinguished by its stable lanthanum(III) oxidation state (+3) and extremely low chemical reactivity—traits that set it apart from reactive lanthanum hydroxides or carbonates—it is ideal for applications requiring high thermal stability, chemical inertness, and optical transparency. Unlike soluble lanthanum salts (e.g., lanthanum chloride, lanthanum nitrate) that dissociate fully in water, Lanthanum Fluoride exhibits near-insoluble aqueous solubility, enabling long-term stability in harsh environments (e.g., acidic, alkaline) and resistance to ion leaching. With base purities ranging from 98% (technical grade) to 99.999% (ultra-high purity), it is widely used in optics, semiconductor manufacturing, catalyst supports, and laboratory research.

Commercially, Lanthanum Fluoride is categorized by purity, particle size, and crystal structure (hexagonal or cubic) to meet diverse application needs. Technical Grade (purity 98.0%–99.0%, particle size 100–200 mesh, hexagonal crystal) prioritizes cost-efficiency for industrial uses like metallurgical flux (lowering melting points of metal alloys), catalyst supports for fluorination reactions, and raw material for lanthanum metal synthesis. Reagent Grade (purity ≥99.5%, controlled particle size 200–300 mesh, high-purity hexagonal crystal) meets laboratory standards for analytical chemistry (e.g., fluoride ion detection via precipitation), small-scale optical component fabrication, and material science research (study of lanthanide fluoride luminescence). High-Purity Grade (purity ≥99.99%, particle size 200–300 mesh, ultrafine cubic crystal) targets optics and electronics, including precursors for optical fibers and thin-film coatings—where trace impurities (e.g.,<10 ppb heavy metals, <5 ppb oxygen, carbon) must be minimized to avoid optical scattering or electrical defects. Ultra-High Purity Grade (purity ≥99.999%, particle size 300–400 mesh, nanoscale cubic crystal) is a niche grade for semiconductor and quantum dot applications, with strict control over particle size distribution (±3% of target diameter) and crystal lattice perfection to ensure compatibility with nanoscale devices. At standard temperature and pressure, Lanthanum Fluoride appears as white to colorless crystalline powder or transparent hexagonal platelets—its high refractive index (1.59–1.60) and low dispersion make it easily distinguishable from other lanthanide salts, while purity can be verified via X-ray diffraction (XRD) or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).

Physically, Lanthanum Fluoride exhibits traits tailored to its low reactivity and optical properties. It has a molecular weight of 195.90 g/mol (anhydrous), a bulk density of ~5.93 g/cm³ (crystalline powder)—one of the highest among lanthanide fluorides—and near-zero aqueous solubility: it dissolves in water at only ~0.00001 g/100 mL (20°C), far lower than lanthanum hydroxide (0.0002 g/100 mL) or carbonate (0.001 g/100 mL). This insolubility ensures no ion leaching in aquatic environments, making it suitable for long-term use in water treatment filters. It is soluble only in concentrated mineral acids (e.g., 50% hydrofluoric acid) via complexation, a property leveraged in semiconductor etching processes. Thermal stability is exceptional: it melts at 1493°C and boils at 2330°C, with no decomposition below its melting point—making it ideal for high-temperature applications like metallurgical flux or optical fiber drawing. It exhibits minimal hygroscopicity (<0.05% moisture absorption at 60% humidity) even under high humidity, preventing caking and ensuring consistent performance during storage. Notably, its optical properties are standout: it transmits light across a broad spectral range (200 nm–8 μm), with low optical absorption in the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) regions—critical for UV detectors and IR optical components.

Chemically, Lanthanum Fluoride’s defining feature is its extreme chemical inertness and high affinity for fluoride ions. As a lanthanide(III) fluoride, it is resistant to attack by most acids (except concentrated HF) and bases, with no reaction with oxygen or carbon dioxide at room temperature—ensuring stability in atmospheric or industrial environments. Unlike lanthanum hydroxide (which reacts with acids to form soluble salts), Lanthanum Fluoride remains insoluble in all but the strongest fluorinating agents, making it a ideal catalyst support for harsh fluorination reactions (e.g., synthesis of fluorinated polymers). It forms stable solid solutions with other Rare Earth Fluorides (e.g., CeF₃, NdF₃), which are used to tailor optical properties (e.g., luminescence wavelength) for phosphor applications. It exhibits no redox reactivity under normal conditions (La³⁺ is the most stable oxidation state of lanthanum), and its fluoride ions are tightly bound in the crystal lattice—preventing fluoride release even under high temperatures, which is critical for safety in semiconductor manufacturing.

The industrial production of Lanthanum Fluoride primarily uses lanthanum-rich raw materials, such as lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃) or lanthanum nitrate, via precipitation with fluoride sources or direct fluorination. The process involves five core steps. First, raw material purification: if using La₂O₃ (purity ≥99.0%), it is dissolved in dilute nitric acid to form a lanthanum nitrate solution, which undergoes solvent extraction to remove impurities (e.g., other rare earths, heavy metals). If using lanthanum nitrate (technical grade), it is dissolved in deionized water and filtered to remove insoluble residues. Second, fluoride precipitation: the purified lanthanum solution is slowly added to a stirred solution of ammonium fluoride (NH₄F, 20%–30% concentration) or hydrofluoric acid (HF, 40% concentration) at 30–50°C (pH 3–4), with a molar ratio of La³⁺ to F⁻ of 1:3 (reaction: La(NO₃)₃ + 3NH₄F → LaF₃↓ + 3NH₄NO₃). The addition rate is tightly controlled to avoid rapid precipitation, which would form amorphous particles with low purity. Third, aging: the resulting slurry is aged at 60–80°C for 4–8 hours to promote crystal growth and convert amorphous particles to crystalline LaF₃—critical for improving optical transparency and thermal stability. Fourth, separation and washing: the precipitated Lanthanum Fluoride is filtered via vacuum filtration, then washed repeatedly with deionized water (and dilute ammonia for HF-derived products) to remove residual nitrate or ammonium ions—essential for high-purity grades to meet optical and electrical standards. Fifth, drying and finishing: the wet cake is dried at 120–150°C to remove surface moisture, then calcined at 800–1000°C for 2–4 hours to enhance crystal perfection. High-purity grades undergo additional processing (e.g., zone melting) to reduce impurity levels, while nanoscale grades are synthesized via hydrothermal methods with surfactants to achieve uniform particle size.

Lanthanum Fluoride’s applications are driven by its chemical inertness, thermal stability, and optical properties. In optics, High-Purity Grade Lanthanum Fluoride is used to fabricate UV and IR optical components—such as prisms, lenses, and windows for satellite sensors—where its broad spectral transmission and low dispersion ensure high image quality. In semiconductor manufacturing, Ultra-High Purity Grade nanoscale LaF₃ is a key component of anti-reflective coatings for silicon wafers: it forms a thin, uniform layer that reduces light reflection during photolithography, improving pattern resolution for advanced chips (e.g., 5 nm nodes). In metallurgy, Technical Grade LaF₃ acts as a flux in aluminum alloy production: it lowers the melting point of aluminum by 50–100°C, reducing energy consumption and improving alloy homogeneity. In catalysis, Reagent Grade LaF₃ is a support for platinum-based catalysts in fluorination reactions (e.g., production of refrigerants): its inert surface prevents catalyst poisoning, while its high surface area (5–15 m²/g) enhances reactant adsorption. In laboratory research, it is used as a reference material for fluoride ion analysis and as a host matrix for luminescent dopants (e.g., europium, terbium) in phosphor studies. Additionally, it is used in dental ceramics: its high biocompatibility and resistance to acid erosion make it a additive for tooth fillings, improving durability and reducing sensitivity.

Safety-wise, Lanthanum Fluoride has low acute toxicity but requires careful handling due to its fluoride content. Industrial-grade powder may generate fine dust—operators should wear nitrile gloves, a dust mask, and safety goggles to avoid inhalation, which may cause mild respiratory irritation. Unlike hydrofluoric acid, it does not release free fluoride ions under normal conditions, but prolonged contact with skin (especially in acidic environments) may cause mild fluoride irritation. It is non-flammable, and thermal decomposition occurs only above its melting point (1493°C)—releasing non-toxic fluoride vapor, which requires proper ventilation in high-temperature processes. To ensure safety, it should be stored in a cool (15–25°C), dry (<60% humidity) area in sealed, chemically resistant containers (e.g., HDPE or Teflon) to prevent contamination. It should be separated from strong acids (except for controlled processing) to avoid unwanted complexation. In case of skin contact, rinse with water for 10 minutes; eye contact requires flushing with water. If inhaled, move to fresh air. When stored properly, industrial-grade has a shelf life of 5–7 years (due to high stability), reagent grade 3–5 years, and high-purity grade 2–3 years. Expired products may show reduced optical transmission (detected via UV-IR spectroscopy) or increased impurity levels (detected via ICP-OES) and should be tested before use.

Descriptive:  WNX employs advanced automated production technology and uses high-quality raw materials to produce high-qualityLanthanum Fluoride.

Key Features:

High Purity:Lanthanum Fluoride contains no impurities from rare earth elements (such as iron, calcium, sodium), and the impurity content is low.

Good Solubility:Lanthanum Fluoride can dissolve rapidly in water and strong acids.

Consistency: The strict batch management in the production ofLanthanum Fluoride ensures stable quality for industrial large-scale production.

Chemical industry catalysts: Lithium fluoride can be used as a catalyst or catalyst carrier in the chemical industry, and is employed in certain organic synthesis reactions. More importantly, it is a key component in the preparation of petroleum catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts, which can effectively enhance the conversion efficiency of hydrocarbons. Its nanoparticles have also been studied as lubricant additives, demonstrating excellent tribological properties.

Pond Phosphate Remover: Due to its chemical properties, lanthanum fluoride can effectively remove phosphate from water bodies through precipitation, which helps solve the problem of water eutrophication. Its nanomaterials also show potential for application in environmental remediation for removing heavy metal ions (such as mercury ions).

Batteries and Energy Materials: Due to its high ionic conductivity, lanthanum fluoride is a potential key material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and solid electrolytes. It is also an intermediate raw material for preparing metallic lanthanum, which is used in energy storage devices such as nickel-metal hydride batteries. In molten salt reactors, it can also serve as a coolant and solvent.

Chemical synthesis intermediates: As an important source of lanthanum, lanthanum fluoride is a key precursor for synthesizing other lanthanum compounds (such as lanthanum oxide). It itself is also a fundamental raw material for preparing ZBLAN fluoride glass, rare earth crystal laser materials (such as erbium-doped and neodymium-doped laser crystals) and scintillation materials (used in medical PET/CT imaging).

1.Neutral labels/packaging (jumbo bag of 1.000kg each net),Two bags per pallet.

2.Vacuum-sealed, then wrapped in air cushion bags, and finally packed into iron drums.

Drum: Steel drums (open-top, 45L capacity, dimensions: φ365mm × 460mm / inner diameter × outer height).

Weight per Drum: 50 kg

Palletization: 18 drums per pallet (total 900 kg/pallet).

Transport Class: Maritime transportation / Air transportation

Custom packaging available upon request