Applications:
Lanthanum is the first element in the rare earth or lanthanide series. It is the second most abundant element of the rare earths after cerium.
Lanthanum can be found in minerals such as monazite and bastnasite. It is one of the most reactive elements in the rare earth metals. It reacts
directly with elemental carbon, nitrogen, boron, selenium, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and with halogens. It oxidizes rapidly when exposed to air.
Lanthanum has application in glass and ceramic manufacturing. It is used in making special optical glasses, such as infrared absorbing glass.
Because of its high refractive index and low dispersion indices Lanthanum is used as doping agents in camera and telescope lenses. It is also
used in alloys such as high strength alloy steels. In catalysis Lanthanum is used in petroleum cracking and has also catalytic applications in
chemical industry.
