Patent ID: 7943106

Claim:
A process for the production of nanorods containing a rare earth metal, the process comprising the steps of: (a) increasing the pH of an aqueous solution of the formula MX 3 , wherein M is a trivalent rare earth metal cation and X is at least one halide anion, so as to produce a reaction product containing X anions in solution and a precipitate in the form of trivalent rare earth hydroxide nanoparticles of the formula M(OH) 3 , the nanoparticles having a hexagonal crystal structure; and (b) ageing the nanoparticles of step (a) in the presence of the reaction product containing X anions in solution so as to facilitate rod-like anisotropic growth of the nanoparticles and form rare earth hydroxide nanorods, wherein the step of ageing is conducted at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature less than 80° C.