Formation of complexes on the surface of nanosized europium fluoride

EuF3 nanoparticles with size of 10–20 nm and the hexagonal crystal structure have been synthesized and characterized. Surface modification of the nanoparticles with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol and xylenol orange in aqueous media has been examined. The study of formation of Eu(III) molecular complexes in solution and complexes on the EuF3 nanoparticles surface has revealed some essential differences in the processes, namely much more slow kinetics of interaction of the ligands with the surface Eu(III) ions and enhanced stability of surface complexes.

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► Fabrication of doughnut-like EuF3 nanoparticles.
► Complexation of PAR and xylenol orange with the surface Eu ions.
► The surface complexes are more stable than the respective molecular ones.