Fullerene‐Like Rare‐Earth Nanoparticles

A low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis has been employed to prepare the title materials in the form of their fluorides and hydroxides. Electron microscopy reveals their hollow and closed-cage structures (see HRTEM image). Such nanostructures can be expected to bring forth new opportunities in important research and application fields, such as biological labeling, luminescence, and catalysis.