Controlled synthesis and formation mechanism of sodium yttrium fluoride nanotube arrays

Cubic and hexagonal sodium yttrium fluoride were successfully synthesized from yttrium nitrate, sodium fluoride and polyethanediol in propanetriol solvent under a facile hydrothermal route. By regulating the molar ratio of yttrium and fluoride, hydrothermal temperature and reaction time, the phase and shape of sodium yttrium fluoride were commendably controlled. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) techniques. It was revealed that the hollow-structured Na(Y1.5Na0.5)F6 nanotubes self-assembled and arrayed orientedly to be bamboo raft-shaped. The formation of hexagonal Na(Y1.5Na0.5)F6 nanotube arrays was attributed to solid-liquid-solid process and Oswald ripening. This study provided a simple method to prepare hexagonal bamboo raft-shaped Na(Y1.5Na0.5)F6 on a large scale, which broadened their practical applications.