The Influence of bases on thermal decomposition synthesis of LaF3

Nanothermometry is a fast-developing field of research due to the need of remote, precise, reliable and non-invasive temperature sensing in real time. This is both important for research, aswell as for industrial applications. However, new nanomaterials suitable for nanothermometry are often difficult to design as the synthesis might be challenging to control, and the fine-tuning of morphology, crystallinity and size is a sophisticated task. Schlenk line based synthesis are a well-known and frequently used route to grow nanoparticles for nanothermometry. However, reports on LaF3 synthesized employing a Schlenk line based thermal decomposition route are very rare. In this presentation we will overview our work carried out on the preparation of nanosized and well-dispersed LaF3 and the influence of different bases, namely LiOH, KOH, NaOH and NaF, used in a thermal decomposition Schlenk line synthesis. It has been reported before that an increase in the respective base and with it the pH value was assumed to accelerate the release of CF3COO- ions.1 Chien et.al linked this to an accelerated growth of LaF3 nanocrystals. Using varied reaction conditions we have worked to optimize the best synthesis route for the development of the nano-sized LaF3