What is LaB6?
Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6)
Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) is a conductive refractory boride available for NIR-absorbing nanoparticle and thermionic-cathode screening routes, with form-specific qualification required before use.
Technical owner: Aurexene Materials Engineering Team · Last updated: 2026-07-30
Quick Answer
Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) is a conductive refractory boride screened as a nanoscale NIR absorber and as a heated thermionic-emission cathode material; qualify the exact optical or cathode form before selection.
What It Is Not
- LaB6 is lanthanum hexaboride, not lanthanum borate, lanthanum oxide, or a generic rare-earth boride.
- Optical LaB6 nanoparticles and fabricated LaB6 cathodes are not interchangeable grades; they require different dimensions, handling, integration, and documentation.
When Not to Use It
- Do not use LaB6 when the selected grade, physical form, particle or tip dimensions, host-system compatibility, operating environment, and document state have not been defined.
Intrinsic Screening Summary
- Identity screen
- LaB6; Cubic refractory-boride particles for optical formulation routes or oriented single-crystal tips for thermionic cathode assemblies.
Application Fit
Selection & Validation Framework
| Decision Question | Material-Level Answer |
|---|---|
| Optical-grade qualification | Measure: Particle-size distribution and agglomerate state for the supplied form; Final-film UV-Vis-NIR transmittance and reflectance with derived absorptance; Visible transmission, haze, color, thickness, and coating uniformity; Temperature response and pre/post-aging spectra where heat control or photothermal use is claimed. Failure signals: haze, tint, specks, or settling; spectral miss or excessive visible loss; substrate overheating or weathering drift. |
| Cathode-grade qualification | Measure: Crystal identity, orientation, purity, dimensions, and tip geometry; Mount and heater electrical compatibility; Emission current, brightness, stability, and lifetime under stated vacuum and temperature; Post-run inspection for contamination, evaporation, cracking, or mount damage. Failure signals: unstable or insufficient emission; rapid current drift or shortened life; contamination, tip damage, or heater/mount failure. |
Material Identity & Specification Status
Approved values for Packaging are not published; confirm them during quotation or sample review.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | LaB6 |
| CAS / identity | 12008-21-8 |
| Particle size | Optical nanoparticle and nanoparticle-dispersion forms are distinct from machined single-crystal cathode forms; exact dimensions are grade- and assembly-specific. |
| Morphology | Cubic refractory-boride particles for optical formulation routes or oriented single-crystal tips for thermionic cathode assemblies. |
| Density | 4.72 g/cm3 reference value for Hitachi LaB6 cathode material; powder bulk and tap density remain grade-specific. |
| Purity | Grade-specific for nanoparticle, dispersion, crystal, and fabricated cathode forms; request the current grade specification and COA basis. |
| Storage | Keep the supplied form sealed, dry, clean, and protected from contamination; follow the grade-specific TDS/SDS and cathode handling instructions. |
Failure-Mode Watchouts
| Failure Mode | Trigger | Material-Level Response |
|---|---|---|
| Agglomeration, haze, tint, settling, or nonuniform NIR response | Incorrect particle form, wetting, milling, loading, binder, or coating-thickness control. | Requalify the form, dispersion route, loading, spectrum, coating process, and aging behavior. |
| Low or unstable emission, short life, contamination, or crystal damage | Incorrect orientation, tip or mount geometry, heater condition, vacuum, operating temperature, or handling. | Match the cathode assembly to the equipment specification and inspect emission history, vacuum, heater, mount, and tip condition. |
Technical Guides
| Technical Guide | Summary |
|---|---|
| Selecting and Qualifying LaB6 Thermionic Cathodes | Select lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) thermionic cathodes by instrument compatibility, crystal and tip geometry, heater, vacuum, operating condition, beam evidence, useful life, and form-specific documentation. |
FAQ
Is LaB6 an NIR absorber?
Nanoscale LaB6 can provide strong wavelength-selective NIR absorption, but the final spectrum, haze, color, and heat result depend on the supplied grade and complete film stack.
Why is LaB6 used as a thermionic cathode?
Its low work function and refractory high-temperature behavior support useful thermionic emission when crystal orientation, tip, heater, mount, vacuum, and operating conditions are correctly matched.
Is LaB6 a smart-glazing switching material?
No. LaB6 is a static NIR absorber or photothermal material in optical routes; it does not provide dynamic switching by itself.
Commercial Availability
Supplier role: Request confirmation
Supply status: Request confirmation
Sample status: Sample availability requires confirmation
Commercial details are not published until the source and verification fields are complete and the Supplier Data Packet is signed by the sales owner, technical reviewer, and resource/compliance owner. Request current grade, form, sample, packaging, and delivery confirmation.
Documents & Inquiry
Document access follows the current approval state. Unapproved or unavailable files route to a document request instead of a public download.
Technical Data Sheet
Request required
Safety Data Sheet
Request required
Grade, Sample & Qualification Support
The Aurexene Materials Engineering Team can review the required form, host system, formulation or process, target, sample quantity, volume and timeline, and the grade-specific evidence needed before qualification.
Review Lab Capabilities for sample evaluation and qualification support, or Production Capabilities for scale-up, quality, documentation, and supply support.
Request LaB6 Sample / Qualification Review