Self-pulverisation oxides added with lanthanum oxide

Abstract In this study, a lanthanum cobaltite (LCO) “self-pulverisation” mechanism was investigated in an attempt use a novel concept when developing materials. The results confirmed that hydroxylation of a small amount of excessive La2O3 in LCO into La(OH)3 caused self-pulverisation of bulk LCO, which initially had a high mechanical strength, into very fine powders within a few weeks, from which cracks initiated and propagated. Other conventional oxides, such as stabilised zirconia. Intentionally added with the La2O3, were prepared and their self-pulverisation phenomena were demonstrated.