Nanocrystalline particles, colloidal synthesis

Finally, the third method consists of first preparing nanocrystalline fluoride particles and then dispersing them in an amorphous oxide medium. Fluoride particles can be synthesized by various techniques (colloidal synthesis, micellar route and so forth). 

Usually there is a lot of effort required to make nanomaterials by electrochemical means. In aqueous solutions the electrodeposition of nanocrystalline metals requires pulsed electrodeposition and the addition of additives whose reaction mechanism hitherto has only been partly understood (see Chapter 8). A further shortcoming is that usually a compact bulk material is obtained instead of isolated particles. The chemical synthesis of metal or metal oxide nanoparticles in aqueous or organic solutions by colloidal chemistry, for example, also requires additives and often the desired product is only obtained under quite limited chemical conditions. Changing one parameter can lead to a different product. 

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