CeO2/CeF3 composite nanoparticles: Fabrication by fluorination of CeO2 with tetrafluoromethane gas

Abstract The interaction of CeO 2 nanoparticles with CF 4 gas at high temperature results in the formation of CeF 3 crystalline phase on the surface of nanoparticles. The lattice parameters of CeF 3 phase in CeO 2 /CeF 3 composite nanoparticles correspond to CeF 3 bulk. In the process of formation of CeF 3 crystalline phase, the Ce 3+ ions can occupy the various positions in crystal lattice: normal sites and perturbed sites arising due to location of O 2− ions near to Ce 3+ ions. The energy transfer between Ce 3+ ions occupying normal and perturbed sites in CeF 3 phase has been observed.