Microwave-assisted synthesis of CdF2 nanoflakes in ionic liquid

Cadmium fluoride (CdF2) nanoflakes have been successfully synthesized using an ionic liquid (1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [BMIM]BF4) under microwave heating for 10 min. Not only did the ionic liquid act as the reaction medium in this route but also as an efficient fluridizer for the formation of CdF2 species. The crystal phase, size and morphology of as-prepared nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).