Fluorides

1. Synthesis of a family of single-crystalline alkaline earth metal fluoride nanowires (CaF₂, BaF₂, and SrF₂) of varying controllable sizes using a modified room-temperature, template-assisted method, without the use of either sophisticated experimental setups or high-temperature annealing. Moreover, the diameters of as-fabricated nanowires could be controlled by choosing polycarbonate membranes with predictable pore sizes. 

Ref.: Adv. Mater., v.18, 1895 (2006).

2. Generalized green synthesis of single-crystalline KMnF₃ and NH₄MnF₃ nanorods as well as of their rare-earth ion doped analogues, possessing reproducible shape and controllable size, was achieved using a modified template-directed approach under ambient room-temperature conditions, with simple inorganic salts as functional precursors. We have studied the antiferromagnetism of as-prepared ternary metal fluoride nanorods as well as the luminescence of their as-doped counterparts. 

Ref.: Adv. Funct. Mater. (inside cover), v.18, 103 (2008).