Room temperature synthesis of bismuth oxyfluoride nanosheets and nanorods

At room temperature, two different morphological nanoscaled BiO_xF_3 − 2x (BiOF nanosheets and Bi₂₆O₃₈F₂ nanorods) have been prepared via a simple solution-based route in the presence of diethanolamine (DEA) and NaOH. The compositions and morphologies of bismuth oxyfluoride can be selectively prepared by varying the type of additives. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-disperse X-ray analysis (EDXA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). A possible mechanism was introduced to explain the formation of the products.