Synthesis, Characterization, and Polishing Properties of a Lanthanum Cerium Fluoride Abrasive

One kind of lanthanum cerium fluoride abrasive was prepared using the raw materials Ce-2(CO3)(3), La center dot Ce(CO3)(3), and NH4F at temperatures of 400-1050 degrees C. The combined techniques of X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinements, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize the products. It was found that the materials are all made up of agglomerated irregular block-shaped particles with particle sizes in micrometer ranges. Below 850 degrees C, the product is a mixture of cubic CeO2 and trigonal LaF3, while above 900 degrees C, it is a mixture of cubic CeO2 and tetragonal LaOF. A higher calcination temperature suppresses the formation of the LaF3 phase but enhances the LaOF phase. The Ce in the prepared material is present in mixed states of Ce3+ and Ce4+, and the Ce4+/Ce3+ ratio increases with increasing calcination temperature. When the material prepared at 900 degrees C was used in the polishing test on K9 glass, the obtained polishing surface is very clean and flat, and the thickness difference before and after grinding is moderate, indicating its potential as an abrasive for polishing the surface of optical glass.

Automated summary

A lanthanum cerium fluoride abrasive was prepared using Ce-2(CO3)(3), La center dot Ce(CO3)(3), and NH4F raw materials at temperatures of 400-1050 degrees C. Various characterization techniques revealed that the materials consist of agglomerated irregular block-shaped particles with particle sizes in the micrometer range. The product was a mixture of cubic CeO2 and trigonal LaF3 below 850 degrees C, while above 900 degrees C, it became a mixture of cubic CeO2 and tetragonal LaOF. The material prepared at 900 degrees C showed potential as an abrasive for polishing optical glass surfaces, as it produced a clean and flat polishing surface with a moderate thickness difference before and after grinding.