Controlling the Size of BaF2 nanocubes from 1000 to 10 nm

Size control of BaF2 nanocubes has been achieved by varying reaction time and pH value, thus producing nanocubes with a controllable edge length in the range 10-1000 nm. A linear relationship between cube size and reaction time has been revealed. Furthermore, a process has been developed to separate the growing BaF2 nanocubes from the remaining solid products at different stages of the synthesis. On the basis of the observed crystallite morphologies, we have elucidated an extension growing mechanism to describe the size-controlled growth of BaF2 nanocubes using this method. Photoluminescence results demonstrate that the deoxidant selenite ions prevent the incorporation of oxygen into the BaF2 nanocubes effectually, which will greatly affect their performance as scintillators. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)