Simple one-step preparation of cerium trifluoride nanoparticles

Cerium trifluoride have great potential in material applications for luminescent materials, composite materials or ionic conductors especially in the form of nanoparticles and nanoobjects. In this work, nanoparticles of CeF3 were prepared by simple one pot reaction of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (bmimPF6) with CeO2 and by reaction of CeO2 with KPF6 in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (bmimCl). Prepared nanoparticles were analyzed by XRD and SEM analysis. Average diameter of prepared nanoparticles resulting from Sherrer formula is 12 nm. Nanoparticles did not form ordered agglomerates and could be used in the form of separate nanoparticles which are desired in some applications.