Properties
La2O3 has a large band gap amongst the rare earth oxides at 4.3 eV, though not the largest since Lu2O3 is reported to have a 5.5 eV band gap. It has the lowest lattice energy, with very high dielectric constant, ε = 27. La2O3 is widely used in industry as well as in the research laboratory. Lanthanum oxide is an odorless, white solid that is insoluble in water, but soluble in dilute acid. Depending on the pH of the compound, different crystal structures can be obtained. La2O3 is hygroscopic; Under atmosphere, lanthanum oxide absorbs moisture over time and converts to lanthanum hydroxide. Lanthanum oxide has p-type semiconducting properties. Its resistivity decreases with an increase in temperature. Its average room temperature resistivity is 10 kΩ·cm.
Read more about this topic: Lanthanum(III) Oxide
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