Nanofluorides

The chemistry, physics and technology of nanofluorides intensively develops last years. This process is illustrated by exponential growth of number of publications ( n) on this theme. [Display omitted] ► Number of publications about nanofluorides grew exponentially over last 10 years. ► Current state of nanofluoride chemistry and material science has been reviewed. ► Chemically active nanofluoride phases are formed in non-equilibrium systems. ► Control of nanofluoride phase composition must be accompanied by chemical analysis. ► Nanofluoride syntheses and use in optics, catalysis and medicine have been discussed. The present review article covers major aspects of inorganic chemistry of nanofluorides, including methods of their synthesis (thermolysis of the precursors, co-precipitation from solutions, reversed micelle technique, hydro- and solvo-thermal techniques, sol–gel method, etc.), nanochemical effects (enhanced chemical activity, self-organization and self-assembly, non-classical mechanism of the single crystal growth, synthesis of non-equilibrium phases), targeted preparation of 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructures, surface modification of the nanoparticles, fluoride nanocomposites (glass- and nano-ceramics) as well as applications of nanofluorides.