High pressure-induced structural phase transition in hexagonal CeF3 nanoplates

The CeF3 nanoplates with hexagonal shape have been successfully synthesized by an ultrasound vibration assisted hydrothermal process. In situ high pressure angle-dispersive synchrotron x-ray diffraction (ADXD) measurements for of CeF3 nanoplates were carried out up to 24 GPa using diamond anvil cell. The ADXD results show that a hexagonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition occurred around 6.8 GPa which is about 13 GPa lower than that reported in bulk CeF3 materials. The bulk modulus (B-0) of orthorhombic structure CeF3 nanoplates is close to that of the corresponding bulk. The novel high pressure behaviors of CeF3 nanoplates possibly are due to their unique 2D morphologies. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi. org/10.1063/1.4726253]