Selective synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline EuF3 with orthorhombic and hexagonal structures

A simple solution-based procedure employing NaBF4 as the fluoride source has been developed to selectively prepare nanospindles of EuF3 with an orthorhombic structure and nanodisks of EuF3 with a hexagonal structure by controlling the molar ratios of the starting materials. These as-prepared nanocrystals of EuF3 were characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM. The nanodisks of EuF3 self-assemble into single-crystal column-like nanostructures. The photoluminescence properties of these nanoscale EuF3 species have been investigated.