Preparation of the cubic-type La2O3 phase by thermal decomposition of LaI3

Cubic lanthanum oxide was prepared by the oxidation of lanthanum iodide at 700 °C in air atmosphere. The oxide was characterized by X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. The cubic La2O3 is most likely a single lanthanum oxide phase containing periodate hydrate and hydroxycarbonate species. The cubic lanthanum oxide is found to be chemically stable even if they are dispersed in water because of the presence of hydroxycarbonate and periodate hydrate species which inhibit the bulk hydroxylation.