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Fabrication of EuF 3 ‐Mesocrystals in a Gel Matrix
Author(s) -
Lausser Christine,
Kumke Michael U.,
Antonietti Markus,
Cölfen Helmut
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.354
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1521-3749
pISSN - 0044-2313
DOI - 10.1002/zaac.201000098
Subject(s) - europium , materials science , sulfonate , phase (matter) , copolymer , crystallization , ion , chemical engineering , matrix (chemical analysis) , crystal (programming language) , polymer chemistry , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , polymer , composite material , organic chemistry , sodium , computer science , engineering , metallurgy , programming language
Europium(III) fluoride mesocrystals were synthesised in an organic matrix. This matrix is a gel formed by Eu 3+ ions and a polycarboxylate/sulfonate copolymer, ACUSOL 588G. In the gel phase, the local amount of europium ions is very high since Eu 3+ acts as a crosslinker, and crystallisation occurs upon addition of F – . Nucleated seed crystals in the gel phase grow by further ion attachment and form mesocrystals by mutual orientation of the EuF 3 particles in the gel. We propose a dipole field as reason for this alignment and that the dipolar character of the particles originates from adsorption of the polyelectrolyte on charged crystal faces.