Structural and optical study of CaF₂ nanoparticles produced by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

CaF₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. With the addition of the ethylenediamine (EDA) as chelating agent, the size of the particles was reduced. The CaF₂ exhibit single phase identified for X-ray diffraction (XRD) and confirmed by Rietveld refinement. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed nanoparticles with non-uniform morphology and statistical analysis of collections of particles reviewed that the EDA decreases both the average particle size and average aspect ratio of the particles. The chemical composition of the surface of the particles was investigated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and the results indicated the presence of reasonable amounts of hydroxyl groups and oxygen ions in the samples produced with EDA. Radioluminescence (RL) measurements showed that both types of nanoparticles presented intrinsic scintillation emission formed by two main bands and that the CaF₂ samples produced without EDA presented higher emission intensity. The broad RL band centered at approximately 293 nm is related to self-trapped exciton (STE) emission of calcium fluoride, while the band at 428 nm can be due to the presence of F centers. The STE excitation and optical band gap were measured through photoluminescent excitation spectra in the VUV range.