Lanthanum (La)

Primary Uses

Catalysts (refining), Camera lenses, Battery alloys (NiMH)

Short Description

Lanthanum is widely used in petroleum refining catalysts for fluid catalytic cracking, which produces gasoline from crude oil. It is also critical for high-refractive-index optical glass in camera lenses and was historically important in nickel-metal hydride battery electrodes for hybrid vehicles.