Preparation and Characterization of Grain Size Controlled LaB₆ Polycrystalline Cathode Material

The grain size controlled bulk Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) cathode material was prepared by using the spark plasma sintering method in an oxygen free system. The starting precursor nanopowders with average grain size of 50 nm were prepared by high−energy ball milling. The nanopowder was fully densified at 1300^°C, which is about 350^°C lower than the sintering temperature of the coarse powders. The thermionic emission current density was measured to be 42.0 A/cm², which is much higher than 24.2 A/cm² of coarse powders and Vickers hardness to be 1860 kg/mm², which is also higher than 1700 kg/mm² of coarse one. These results indicate that refining the powder grain size to nano level was beneficial for reducing the sintering temperature and promoting the thermionic emission and mechanic properties.