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
Material Identity & Specification Status
| 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. |
| Packaging | Form-specific sealed powder, dispersion, crystal, or cathode packaging defined during quotation. |
| 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.
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