Lanthanum
Lantano (La, Z=57)
- Date
- 1839 · confidence high
- Place
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Credited to
- Carl Gustaf Mosander
- People
- 👤 Carl Gustaf Mosander1797–1858
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
Mosander extracted from cerium nitrate a 'hidden' earth (lanthana), showing that Berzelius's cerium was not pure.
The name comes from the Greek 'lanthanein', to lie hidden.
What it led to
- High-refractive-index optical lenses
- Nickel-metal hydride batteries
- Cracking catalysts and lighter flints
Built on
- Discovery of cerium
- Fractional separation
Made possible
- NiMH battery
- Lanthanum optical glass