Nanometer to Submicrometer Magnesium Fluoride Particles with Controllable Morphology

Magnesium fluoride particles with controllable size (from several nanometers to submicrometers) and morphology (spherical and cubic forms) were successfully prepared via liquid-phase synthesis. The particles were synthesized from the reaction of MgCl2 and NH4F in an aqueous solution at 75 degrees C for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. Control of particle size was accomplished mainly by changing the concentration of the reactants, which could be qualitatively explained by conventional nucleation theory. Flexibility of the process in controlling particle morphology, from a spherical to a cubical form, was predominantly achieved by varying the concentration of MgCl2. Since the same XRD pattern was detected in particles with varying morphologies, the shape transformation was due to changes in particle growth. With the ability to control particle size and morphology, the creation of other inorganic particles is possible and has potential for many field applications.