La doesn't get reduced by Al, if anything, if you had La powder and Al oxide, the reaction would go in reverse. What you see is just the Al powder combusting in atmospheric oxygen, perhaps catalyzed by the La oxide, that transports oxygen from the amosphere through its crystal lattice.
Yes I'm sure. Lanthanum oxide has the highest heat of formation of all oxides. Aluminum won't reduce some metals such as magnesium oxide or calcium oxide (it will react with the hydroxide/absorbed/crystal water though). Calcium can be used to reduce any metal oxide in an argon atmosphere(because it burns in air), even aluminum/magnesium oxide, the only exception being lanthanum oxide. Now I think the aluminum up in the video is reacting with absorbed crystal water/hydroxide portion, not air.
Tungsten trioxide thermite is an extremely reactive one. :D
O3Cl 2 years ago
None of my ceramics suppliers have it. Do you have a source?
egloskerry 2 years ago
There's some on ebay UK. Be careful with the thermite made from it, it ignites easily from a blowtorch and burns like flash powder. ;D
O3Cl 2 years ago
Really exotic.
JohnnyTheChemist 2 years ago
La doesn't get reduced by Al, if anything, if you had La powder and Al oxide, the reaction would go in reverse. What you see is just the Al powder combusting in atmospheric oxygen, perhaps catalyzed by the La oxide, that transports oxygen from the amosphere through its crystal lattice.
Sillybillydilly 2 years ago
Are you sure? Al powder combustion should be more energetic, and Al is more EN than La.
egloskerry 2 years ago
Yes I'm sure. Lanthanum oxide has the highest heat of formation of all oxides. Aluminum won't reduce some metals such as magnesium oxide or calcium oxide (it will react with the hydroxide/absorbed/crystal water though). Calcium can be used to reduce any metal oxide in an argon atmosphere(because it burns in air), even aluminum/magnesium oxide, the only exception being lanthanum oxide. Now I think the aluminum up in the video is reacting with absorbed crystal water/hydroxide portion, not air.
Sillybillydilly 2 years ago