Morphology of NaNdF 4 nanocrystals from Nd(C 3H 7COO) 3·Phen and Nd(NO 3) 3·Phen (Phen, 1,10-phenanthroline) as neodymium precursors

Abstract

A series of NaNdF 4 nanocrystals was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route with Nd(C 3H 7COO) 3·Phen and Nd(NO 3) 3·Phen (Phen, 1,10-phenanthroline) as the Nd precursors. Distinct effect of the neutral donor ligand (Phen) on the morphology of NaNdF 4 nanocrystals was demonstrated. When Nd(C 3H 7COO) 3·Phen was chosen and the hydrothermal reaction temperature was controlled at 220 °C, the NaNdF 4 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.