Synthesis of Nb2O5 Nanoplates and their Conversion into NbO2F Nanoparticles by Controlled Fluorination with Molecular Fluorine. Issue 2 (6th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ullah, Hameed; Guerin, Katia; Bonnet, Pierre
• Is Part Of: European journal of inorganic chemistry. Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 230
• Page End: 236
• Publication Date: 2019-01-06
• Subjects: Fluorides -- Nanoparticles -- Gas‐phase reactions -- Niobium -- Intercalations; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Organometallic chemistry -- Periodicals; Bioinorganic chemistry -- Periodicals; Solid state chemistry -- Periodicals; 546
• DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201801174
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1434-1948

Abstract

Abstract : Following a synthesis protocol developed by us, nanoparticles of NbO2 F were prepared for the very first time by the gas‐solid type fluorination of hexagonal‐shaped niobium pentoxide (Nb2 O5 ) nanostructures with molecular fluorine (F2 ). The optimized fluorination parameters, like F2 pressure, gas‐solid reaction temperature, and duration, were very crucial for successful synthesis of the desired NbO2 F nanomaterial. The hexagonal‐shaped Nb2 O5 nanoplates were synthesized in a previous step by a hydrothermal method. The oxide to oxyfluoride transformation protocol is highly efficient, giving single‐phase NbO2 F in the cubic crystal system, as confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). The structures of Nb2 O5 nanoplates and NbO2 F nanoparticles were also characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman scattering). The morphologies of the materials were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy (T/SEM), which revealed that the hexagonal‐shaped plates of Nb2 O5 disintegrated into nanoparticles with an approximate size of 27 nm upon fluorination to provide NbO2 F. The lithiation and sodiation ability of nanostructured NbO2 F is established with relevant electrochemical properties. Abstract : NbO2 F nanoparticles were synthesized from hexagonal‐shaped Nb2 O5 nanoplates and F2 gas for the very first time by a gas‐solid reaction. The Nb2 O5 nanoplates disintegrated into NbO2 F nanoparticles upon chemical grinding. These nanoparticles show promising lithiation and sodiation results for potential use as electrode materials of lithium and/or sodium ion (rechargeable) batteries.