Solvothermal synthesis of sodium cobalt fluoride (NaCoF₃) nanoparticle clusters

In this study, we developed a facile synthetic method for the preparation of nanostructured sodium cobalt fluoride (NaCoF₃). Uniform NaCoF₃ nanoparticles with small-crystallite size were synthesized through a simple solvothermal process using relatively inexpensive precursors. The NaCoF₃ particles obtained were composed of small nanoparticles (∼20 nm) assembled to form large nanoparticle clusters (NPCs, ∼200 nm). This unique nanostructure provided a large surface area (>40 m² g⁻¹) of NaCoF₃. Furthermore, the effects of reaction conditions and an essential additive (trisodium citrate) were also investigated using analytical techniques, and the importance of the optimal conditions to obtain uniform NaCoF₃ NPCs without impurities was demonstrated. We expect that this synthetic method will initiate further research into the development of various nanostructured sodium metal fluorides and their applications.