La-Doped Alumina, Lanthanum Aluminate, Lanthanum Hexaaluminate, and Related Compounds: A Review Covering Synthesis, Structure, and Practical Importance

Advanced materials based on lanthanum–aluminum oxides are useful for many practical applications, not the least in catalysis, energy conversion and energy storage systems designed for a sustainable world economy. The three main La–Al–O (LAO) combinations of commercial interest are La-doped aluminas (LDA), lanthanum monoaluminate (LMA, a perovskite), and lanthanum hexaaluminate (LHA). Usually, the literature treats doped aluminas, perovskites, and hexaaluminates separately. The current review tries to identify common trends and features with respect to structure, synthesis, and applications of LAOs, which should lead to a more holistic understanding of their chemistry. This, in turn, should trigger innovative ideas with respect to new or improved applications. Apart from a variety of uses at low temperatures, the main advantages of LDA, LMA, LHA, and related compounds are their high-temperature stability and the extended applicability that comes with it.