ThO2

Notas

Thorium dioxide, or thoria (ThO2), is a crystalline solid characterized by an exceptionally high melting point of 3300 °C, which exceeds that of any other known oxide. Typically occurring as a white or yellow material, it exists in nature as the mineral thorianite, which features an isometric crystal structure. While recognized for its thermal stability, the practical utility of thorium dioxide in ceramic applications is significantly constrained by the fact that all thorium isotopes are radioactive. Consequently, it is primarily encountered as a byproduct of uranium and lanthanide processing rather than as a standard ingredient in glaze formulations.