Material Identity
- Chemical name: Lanthanum titanate
- General composition: Lanthanum–titanium oxide (La–Ti–O system)
- Representative formulas: phase-dependent (e.g., La2Ti2O7, LaTiO3)
- CAS numbers: phase-specific; no single universal CAS applies to all lanthanum titanates
- Physical form: inorganic ceramic oxide, typically supplied as powder
- What it is not: not a polymer additive, not a metallic conductor, not a carbon-based material
Activation & Trigger Conditions
- Trigger: crystal structure formation through thermal processing
- Energy domain: lattice polarization, dielectric response, and oxide electronic structure
- Absent trigger: insufficient calcination prevents phase development
- Insufficient condition: low-temperature processing yields incomplete crystallinity
- Excess condition: excessive heat can induce grain coarsening or unwanted phase transitions
Functional Role
- Acts as a structural oxide framework in ceramic systems
- Provides dielectric or insulating behavior depending on phase and microstructure
- Serves as a reference material for rare-earth titanate studies
Application Windows
- Compatible systems: oxide ceramics, electronic ceramics, high-temperature solid materials
- Loading range: system- and phase-dependent; no universal loading applies
- Processing notes: phase control, atmosphere, and sintering profile strongly affect behavior
Limitations & Failure Modes
- Incorrect phase selection → mismatched crystal structure → unexpected electrical or dielectric response
- Poor sintering control → residual porosity → reduced mechanical or dielectric stability
- Impurity incorporation → altered lattice behavior → variability in measured properties
Alternatives & Trade-offs
- Barium titanate: higher dielectric response but different thermal and structural stability
- Strontium titanate: simpler perovskite structure with different temperature behavior
- Aluminum oxide: structurally stable but lacks titanate-related functional responses
When to Use
- When a rare-earth titanate oxide is required for ceramic research
- When dielectric or insulating behavior is phase-controlled rather than filler-based
- When high-temperature oxide compatibility is essential
- When studying structure–property relationships in titanate systems
FAQ
Is lanthanum titanate a single, fixed compound?
No. It refers to a family of lanthanum–titanium oxide phases with different structures and properties.
Does it conduct electricity like metals or carbon materials?
No. Its behavior is governed by oxide electronic structure and is typically insulating or semiconducting.
Why do reported properties differ across sources?
Differences arise from phase composition, processing atmosphere, sintering temperature, and purity.
Data
No generalized numerical values are provided. Electrical, dielectric, and mechanical properties are phase- and process-specific and must be determined experimentally.
Sources
General peer-reviewed literature on rare-earth titanate ceramics and supplier-specific technical documentation where available.