Synthesis and optical characterization of rare earth nanofluorides

Different pathways for facile syntheses of rare earth fluoride nanoparticles are discussed. One group deals with zeolite and sol–gel-matrix supported materials and their characteristics, the other surveys freestanding nanoparticles obtained from hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. While nanoparticles in SiO2 based matrices do not match the optical performance of bulk materials, freestanding particles can be modified by surface coordination or core-shell concepts to approach the efficiency of ‘classical’ materials, with the added value of dispersability in apolar organic solvents, to eventually allow the transparent imbedding in polymer matrices.