An effective way to improve sintering densification of LaB6was proposed and confirmed experimentally. Firstly, LaB6nanopowders with a cube-like shape of ~ 94.7 nm were fabricated by molten salt synthesis route at 800 °C for 1 h. Then,LaB6bulk material of 98% density was prepared by hot pressing sintering of as-synthesized LaB6nanopowders under1800 °C/50 MPa/30 min. The acquired LaB6bulk material had a work function of 2.87 eV and exhibited an excellentthermionic emission property. The saturation emission current density at 1500 and 1600 °C reached 37.4 and 44.3 A/cm2,respectively.
An effective way to improve sintering densification of LaB6was proposed and confirmed experimentally. Firstly, LaB6nanopowders with a cube-like shape of ~ 94.7 nm were fabricated by molten salt synthesis route at 800 °C for 1 h. Then,LaB6bulk material of 98% density was prepared by hot pressing sintering of as-synthesized LaB6nanopowders under1800 °C/50 MPa/30 min. The acquired LaB6bulk material had a work function of 2.87 eV and exhibited an excellentthermionic emission property. The saturation emission current density at 1500 and 1600 °C reached 37.4 and 44.3 A/cm2,respectively.