Lanthanum Hydroxide

Rare Earth Hydroxides

Lanthanum Hydroxide, chemically represented as La(OH)₃ (existing primarily in an anhydrous amorphous or crystalline form under ambient conditions), is a key inorganic compound in the lanthanide hydroxide family. Distinguished by its stable lanthanum(III) oxidation state (+3) and strong basicity—traits that set it apart from weakly basic lanthanum carbonate or neutral lanthanum salts like nitrate—it is ideal for applications requiring alkaline reactivity, anion adsorption, and controlled hydrolysis. Unlike soluble lanthanum salts (e.g., lanthanum chloride, lanthanum acetate) that dissociate fully in water, Lanthanum Hydroxide exhibits extremely low aqueous solubility, enabling sustained release of OH⁻ ions and selective binding to acidic species. With base purities ranging from 98% (technical grade) to 99.999% (ultra-high purity), it is widely used in water treatment, catalyst preparation, ceramic processing, and biomedical research.

Commercially, Lanthanum Hydroxide is categorized by purity, particle size, and morphology (amorphous powder or crystalline flakes) to meet diverse application needs. Technical Grade (purity 98.0%–99.0%, particle size 100–200 mesh, amorphous powder) prioritizes cost-efficiency for industrial uses like water treatment (removal of fluoride, phosphate, and heavy metal ions), pH regulators in chemical processes, and raw material for lanthanum oxide synthesis. Reagent Grade (purity ≥99.5%, controlled particle size 200–300 mesh, crystalline powder) meets laboratory standards for analytical chemistry (e.g., adsorption studies of anionic contaminants), small-scale catalyst synthesis (as a basic catalyst), and material science research (study of lanthanide hydroxide nanostructures). High-Purity Grade (purity ≥99.99%, particle size 200–300 mesh, ultrafine crystalline powder) targets electronics and optoelectronics, including precursors for lanthanum-based dielectric films and dopants for piezoelectric ceramics—where trace impurities (e.g.,<10 ppb heavy metals, <5 ppb silicon, aluminum) must be minimized to avoid performance defects. Ultra-High Purity Grade (purity ≥99.999%, particle size 300–400 mesh, nanoscale crystalline powder) is a niche grade for quantum dots and semiconductor applications, with strict control over particle size distribution (±5% of target diameter) and crystal structure (hexagonal or orthorhombic) to ensure compatibility with nanoscale devices. At standard temperature and pressure, Lanthanum Hydroxide appears as white to off-white amorphous powder or translucent crystalline flakes—its light color and low reactivity simplify handling, while purity can be verified via X-ray diffraction (XRD) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Physically, Lanthanum Hydroxide exhibits traits tailored to its low solubility and basic nature. It has a molecular weight of 189.91 g/mol (anhydrous), a bulk density of ~2.30 g/cm³ (amorphous powder) to ~2.80 g/cm³ (crystalline flakes), and extremely low aqueous solubility: it dissolves in water at only ~0.0002 g/100 mL (20°C)—far lower than lanthanum nitrate (98 g/100 mL) or carbonate (0.001 g/100 mL)—enabling long-term stability in aqueous environments and selective adsorption of anions. Its solubility increases significantly in acidic solutions (e.g., fully dissolving in 0.1 M nitric acid at 20°C), a property leveraged in catalyst regeneration and waste treatment. Thermal stability is moderate: it decomposes gradually above 200°C (losing H₂O) to form lanthanum oxyhydroxide (LaOOH) and completely converts to lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃) above 450°C—with no toxic byproducts, making it suitable for high-temperature ceramic and catalyst activation processes. It exhibits minimal hygroscopicity (~0.1% moisture absorption at 60% humidity) compared to highly hygroscopic lanthanum chloride, preventing caking and ensuring consistent performance during storage. Notably, its specific surface area varies by morphology: ultrafine amorphous powder grades have a surface area of 15–30 m²/g (enhancing anion adsorption), while crystalline flake grades have a lower surface area of 3–8 m²/g (improving mechanical stability in coatings).

Chemically, Lanthanum Hydroxide’s defining feature is its strong basicity and high affinity for anionic species (e.g., fluoride, phosphate, arsenate). As a lanthanide(III) hydroxide, it dissociates minimally in water to release La³⁺ and OH⁻ ions, with OH⁻ ions neutralizing acidic contaminants and La³⁺ ions forming stable complexes with anions—for example, reacting with fluoride to form insoluble lanthanum fluoride (LaF₃): La(OH)₃ + 3F⁻ → LaF₃↓ + 3OH⁻. This reaction is critical for water treatment, where it removes fluoride to meet drinking water standards (<1.5 mg/L). Unlike lanthanum carbonate (which requires acidic conditions to react), Lanthanum Hydroxide operates effectively in neutral to alkaline environments (pH 7–10), expanding its applicability to industrial wastewater with high pH. It acts as a mild basic catalyst in organic reactions (e.g., transesterification, hydrolysis of esters), offering higher selectivity than strong bases like sodium hydroxide by avoiding side reactions such as saponification. It is chemically inert under normal conditions, with no redox reactivity (La³⁺ is the most stable oxidation state of lanthanum), making it safe for use in biomedical coatings and food-contact applications. When mixed with other metal hydroxides (e.g., aluminum hydroxide), it forms composite materials with enhanced adsorption and catalytic properties.

The industrial production of Lanthanum Hydroxide primarily uses lanthanum-rich raw materials, such as lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃) or lanthanum nitrate, via hydrolysis or neutralization with strong bases. 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, neutralization/hydrolysis: the purified lanthanum solution is slowly added to a stirred solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH, 10%–20% concentration) or ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH, 25% concentration) at 20–30°C (pH 10–11), with a molar ratio of La³⁺ to OH⁻ of 1:3 (reaction: La(NO₃)₃ + 3NaOH → La(OH)₃↓ + 3NaNO₃). The addition rate and temperature are tightly controlled to avoid rapid precipitation, which would form amorphous particles with low filterability. Third, aging: the resulting slurry is aged at 40–60°C for 3–6 hours to promote crystal growth and convert amorphous particles to crystalline La(OH)₃—critical for improving adsorption capacity and stability. Fourth, separation and washing: the precipitated Lanthanum Hydroxide is filtered via vacuum filtration, then washed repeatedly with deionized water to remove residual nitrate or sodium ions—essential for high-purity grades to meet electrical and catalytic performance standards. Fifth, drying and finishing: the wet cake is dried at 60–80°C (to avoid decomposition) to remove surface moisture, then crushed and screened to target particle size. High-purity grades undergo additional processing (e.g., hydrothermal treatment) to control crystal structure, while nanoscale grades are synthesized via sol-gel or precipitation methods with surfactants to achieve uniform particle size.

Lanthanum Hydroxide’s applications are driven by its strong basicity, selective adsorption, and low toxicity. In water treatment, Technical Grade amorphous powder is used in fixed-bed filters for fluoride removal in drinking water and industrial wastewater: its high surface area and affinity for F⁻ ions enable removal efficiencies of up to 99%, reducing fluoride levels to safe limits. In catalysis, Reagent Grade crystalline Lanthanum Hydroxide is a precursor for lanthanum-based catalysts (e.g., La(OH)₃-supported palladium) used in hydrocarbon oxidation and NOₓ reduction: its basic surface sites enhance reactant adsorption and activate catalytic reactions. In ceramics, High-Purity Grade ultrafine powder is a sintering aid for zirconia ceramics: it forms a liquid phase at high temperatures, reducing sintering shrinkage and improving the ceramic’s fracture toughness and thermal shock resistance. In electronics, Ultra-High Purity Grade nanoscale Lanthanum Hydroxide is a precursor for lanthanum-doped hafnia (HfO₂) dielectric films—used in advanced semiconductors (e.g., 7 nm and smaller nodes) to enhance gate capacitance and reduce leakage current. In biomedical research, it is used as a coating material for titanium implants: its biocompatible surface promotes bone cell adhesion, while its basicity neutralizes acidic byproducts of inflammation, reducing implant rejection rates. Additionally, it is used in the production of phosphors for OLED displays: when doped with europium, it emits bright red light with high color purity and efficiency.

Safety-wise, Lanthanum Hydroxide has low acute toxicity and is considered safe for most industrial and laboratory uses. Industrial-grade powder may generate minor dust—operators should wear nitrile gloves and a dust mask to avoid inhalation, which may cause mild respiratory irritation. Its basic nature means direct skin or eye contact can cause mild irritation (e.g., dryness, redness), but no severe chemical burns (unlike strong bases like NaOH). It is non-flammable, and thermal decomposition releases only water vapor—posing no fire or explosion risks. To ensure safety, industrial-grade should be stored in a cool (15–25°C), dry (<60% humidity) area in sealed containers to prevent moisture absorption and reaction with atmospheric CO₂ (which forms lanthanum carbonate). It should be separated from strong acids to avoid exothermic reactions and gas evolution. 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 2–3 years, reagent grade 1.5–2 years, and high-purity grade 1–2 years. Expired products may show reduced adsorption capacity (detected via fluoride or phosphate binding tests) or increased carbonate content (detected via TGA) and should be tested before use.

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

Key Features:

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

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

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

Chemical industry catalyst: Lithium hydroxide is a key component in the production of petroleum fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts. It can significantly enhance the efficiency and quality of fuel production, meeting environmental standards for clean fuels (such as Euro V and Euro VI). It can also be used as a ternary catalyst for vehicle exhaust purification, helping to convert harmful gases.

Efficient Phosphorus Removal Agent: Due to its chemical properties, lanthanum hydroxide can efficiently remove phosphate from water bodies through precipitation, and is widely used in wastewater treatment and the control of eutrophication in lakes and ponds. It can effectively inhibit the growth of algae.

Batteries and Energy Materials: Lithium hydroxide plays a crucial role in the manufacturing of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are widely used in hybrid vehicles. Additionally, it is a potential precursor for key materials in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and emerging solid-state battery technologies.

Chemical synthesis intermediates: As an important precursor raw material, lanthanum hydroxide is widely used in the synthesis of other lanthanum compounds, such as lanthanum oxide, lanthanum fluoride, and various lanthanum salts. These materials form the basis for manufacturing special glasses, precision ceramics, multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), and rare earth luminescent materials.

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