Ultrasonic assisted synthesis, characterization and influence factors of monodispersed dumbbell-like YF3 nanostructures

In the present paper, we reported the successful synthesis of dumbbell-like YF3 nanostructures with a high yield in a mixed system of water/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) under the assistance of ultrasound waves of 40 kHz with the ultrasonic power of 100% (200 W) at 65 °C for 2 h, employing Y2O3 (99.99%) and NH4F as the starting reactants. The product was characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Some factors influencing the morphology of YF3 nanostructures, including the ultrasonic time and power, the amount of NH4F, and the ratio of water/DMF, were systematically investigated. Research showed that the morphology of YF3 could be tuned by the volume ratio of water/DMF. The roles of DMF and the ultrasonic wave in the formation of YF3 nanostructures were discussed.