Lanthanum is a silvery-white metal that is part of the lanthanide series of elements and has a number of important uses in industry and science.
Sources of Lanthanum: Lanthanum is obtained from minerals such as monazite and bastnasite, which are found in several countries, including China, India, and the United States.
Uses of Lanthanum:
Catalysts: Lanthanum is used as a catalyst in the production of petroleum and in the refining of petroleum products.
Glass production: Lanthanum is added to glass to improve its optical properties, such as refractive index and dispersion.
Energy production: Lanthanum is used in some forms of energy production, such as in batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles.
Medical use: Lanthanum is used in some medical applications, such as in the treatment of renal failure.
Properties of Lanthanum:
Density: Lanthanum has a density of 6.16 g/cm3.
Melting point: The melting point of lanthanum is 920°C.
Chemical reactivity: Lanthanum is a reactive metal that readily forms compounds with other elements.
Solubility: Lanthanum is soluble in some solvents, such as water, but is otherwise insoluble in most solvents.
Extraction of Lanthanum: Lanthanum is extracted from its minerals through a series of chemical processes, including acid leaching, purification, and crystallization. The purified lanthanum is then packaged for use in industry or science.