Cerium Hexaboride (CeB₆)

3N Purity Cerium Hexaboride (CeB₆) With Cathode Brightness Cas No.12008-02-5

Cerium Hexaboride (CeB₆) is an inorganic compound composed of cerium and boron, serving as a core high-performance material for thermionic cathodes. It is mainly used in thermionic cathode fabrication, either directly as bulk crystals or as a coating. It is often used together with LaB₆ in high-current thermionic cathode assemblies. CeB₆ is widely applied in high-end electronic devices and special processing fields, including electron microscopes, microwave tubes, electron beam lithography, electron beam welding, X-ray tubes, and free-electron lasers.

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3N Purity Cerium Hexaboride (CeB₆) With Cathode Brightness Cas No.12008-02-5

 

Physicochemical Properties

(I) Basic Physical Properties

Crystal Structure: Simple cubic crystal system (CaB₆-type), space group Pm-3m, structurally stable with excellent physical performance.

Appearance & Purity: Typically blackish-gray crystals with metallic luster; available in micron/nano-grade powders and single crystals; purity can reach above 99.9%.

Key Parameters: Melting point approx. 2190–2552℃; density approx. 4.80–4.87 g/cm³; metal-like electrical conductivity; high hardness and strong stability.

 

(II) Core Chemical & Electronic Properties

Electron Emission: Work function approx. 2.5–2.7 eV; high electron emission efficiency enabling high current density at relatively low temperatures.

Thermal Stability: Stable in vacuum; evaporation rate lower than LaB₆ at 1700 K; comparable to LaB₆ at 1850 K; higher than LaB₆ above this temperature.

Contamination Resistance: Excellent resistance to carbon contamination, superior to LaB₆; insoluble in water and hydrochloric acid; decomposable by strong oxidizers and alkalis.

 

Coperate Specificatios of  Cerium Hexaboride

Symbole Purity≥(%) Ce2O3/REO≥(%) Crystal Form  Color Average Particle Size(mesh)
BHCH3N 99.9 99.9 Cubic Black 200、325、500、600、800
BHCH2N5 99.5 99.5 Cubic Black 325 、500

Packaging

Packing weights: 1 kg / 2 kg / 5 kg / 10 kg per bag.

Structure: Inner transparent PE bag + outer aluminum foil bag with vacuum sealing (customizable), filled with inert shielding gas.

Storage Requirements

Store hermetically sealed in a cool and dry environment. Avoid exposure to air to prevent moisture absorption, oxidation and particle agglomeration.

 

Application Fields & Uses

With outstanding electron emission, contamination resistance, and thermal stability, CeB₆ is ideal for high-end equipment requiring stable, high-quality electron emission:

 

Electron Microscopy: Used as core thermionic cathode material for electron microscope filaments, providing stable, high-brightness electron beams to ensure high imaging clarity and resolution for both tabletop and high-end floor-standing electron microscopes.

 

Microwave Devices: Applied in manufacturing microwave tubes as a key thermionic cathode component, improving electron emission efficiency and operational stability for microwave communications and radar systems.

 

Electron Beam Processing: Used in thermionic cathodes for electron beam lithography and electron beam welding. High current density and long service life guarantee high precision and quality in precision electronic component fabrication and high-end metal welding.

 

X-ray & Laser Systems: Used in X-ray tubes as an electron emission source to enhance X-ray intensity and stability for medical and industrial inspection equipment; also used in free-electron lasers to provide stable electron beams for laser generation.

 

Key Performance Advantages

Cathode brightness: 10 times that of tungsten cathodes

 

Service life: 10–15 times that of tungsten cathodes

Better carbon contamination resistance than LaB₆, with 50% longer service life

Suitable for harsh working environments, making it the preferred material for high-end electron emission devices.

 

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