Synthesis of mesoporous YF3 nanoflowers via solvent extraction route

Mesoporous YF3 nanoflowers were successfully prepared via solvent extraction route. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations indicated that these nanoflowers with uneven porous architectures had a spherical shape and were consisted of many YF3 nanosheets with a thickness of about 15 nm. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis was used to check the chemical composition and purity of the products. YF3 nanoflowers had bimodal mesoporous distribution and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 116 m2/g.