Controlled synthesis and characterization of nanostructured EuF3 with different crystalline phases and morphologies

A variety of nanostructured EuF3 with different crystalline phases and morphologies have been prepared via a simple solution route employing the reactions between Eu(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O and fluoride sources XF ( X) K+, H+, NH4+, Na+, Rb+, and Cs+) under ambient conditions. The cations of the fluoride sources were found to determine the crystal structures and morphologies of the as-prepared nanostructured EuF3. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the reaction of Eu(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O with KF or HF yielded nanostructured EuF3 with hexagonal structure, while orthorhombic EuF3 crystals were obtained in the reactions with NH4F, NaF, RbF, or CsF. Different nanostructures including incomplete hollow nanoplates, spherical nanoparticle aggregates, branched tree-like ramified nanostructures, nanorods, and nanowires have been prepared. The luminescent properties of the nanostructured EuF3 have also been studied.