Morphology of NaNdF4 nanocrystals from Nd(C3H7COO)3·Phen and Nd(NO3)3·Phen (Phen, 1,10-phenanthroline) as neodymium precursors

A series of NaNdF4 nanocrystals was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route with Nd(C3H7COO)3·Phen and Nd(NO3)3·Phen (Phen, 1,10-phenanthroline) as the Nd precursors. Distinct effect of the neutral donor ligand (Phen) on the morphology of NaNdF4 nanocrystals was demonstrated. When Nd(C3H7COO)3·Phen was chosen and the hydrothermal reaction temperature was controlled at 220 °C, the NaNdF4 nanocrystals with uniform short nanorod shape were obtained. The sizes of the as-prepared nanorods could be tuned by changing the hydrothermal temperatures. This method provided a useful way for the preparation of sodium rare-earth fluoride nanocrystals with controlled shapes and sizes.