Mechanochemical Synthesis of Nano-sized Complex Fluorides from Pair of Different Constituent Fluoride Compounds

Abstract
Complex fluorides ARF4 (A = Li, Na, K, R = rare earthes) are synthesized by the mechanochemical solid reactions of AF and RF3 powders at room temperature using a planetary ball mill. The reactions proceed with the increase of grinding time and have been completed at 4 h. Transmission electron microscope observation shows that the produced ARF4 powders consist of agglomerates of nano-sized primary particles, which exhibit moderate water solubility. When the ground sample is calcined, the particle size is increased and the water solubility is depressed.