Polyol-mediated synthesis of nanoscale CaF2 and CaF2:Ce,Tb

The polyol-mediated synthesis of nanocrystalline CaF2 and the luminescence of CaF2:Ce, Tb is described. The preparation of nanoscale CaF2 by mixing solutions of Ca(NO3)2 and (NH4)F in diethylene glycol (DEG), is also reported. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) shows that prepared suspensions of nanocrystalline CaF2 in DEG exhibits an average hydrodynamic diameter of 20 nm with a monodispersed size distribution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the evidence of the presence of nanoagglomerated particles with a spherical morphology. The crystallinity, size distribution, and purity of the CaF2 samples are verified by X-ray power diffraction (XRD) analysis. The quantum efficiency of this nanoscale material is measured in comparison to a luminescent standard with comparable excitation and emission behavior and with known quantum efficiency.