Synthesis of mesoporous YF3 nanoflowers via solvent extraction route

Abstract Mesoporous YF 3 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 YF 3 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. YF 3 nanoflowers had bimodal mesoporous distribution and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 116 m 2 /g.