High-resolution electron microscopy of LaPO4 catalysts

High-resolution electron microscopy has revealed a difference in morphology of the crystallites of samples of LaPO 4 which are good and poor catalysts for the hydrolysis of aromatic chlorides. In the good catalysts an acicular habit is such as to expose chains of La and PO 4 ions which run parallel to the c axis of the crystal. Observations of lattice fringes include those of forbidden reflections, suggesting some modification of the structure, as well as revealing structural imperfections.