SrF2

Strontium fluoride, with the chemical formula SrF2, is an inorganic salt that forms white, crystalline solids. It consists of Sr2+ cations and F− anions arranged in a fluorite-type lattice, a cubic structure in which each strontium ion is eightfold coordinated by fluoride and each fluoride ion is fourfold coordinated by strontium.

Preparation and synthesis

SrF2 is typically prepared by reacting strontium compounds with hydrofluoric acid or by precipitating fluoride from aqueous strontium solutions. It can also be produced by high-temperature fluorination of strontium-containing materials. The compound is commonly manufactured for industrial use as a raw material for optical components and scintillators.

Properties

SrF2 is sparingly soluble in water and exhibits a very high melting point, reflecting the strength of the ionic bonds in the fluorite-type lattice. It is chemically stable under ordinary laboratory conditions.

Optical and practical applications

Strontium fluoride is valued for its transparency across a broad range of wavelengths, including ultraviolet and infrared regions, making it a useful material for UV and IR optical windows and lenses. The fluorite structure is compatible with doping by rare-earth or other optically active ions, enabling applications in scintillation detectors and specialized optical devices. The material is often used as a substrate or host lattice for doped crystals in research and industry.

Safety

Like other fluoride compounds, SrF2 can be hazardous if mishandled. Fluoride compounds can be toxic, and appropriate safety measures should be followed, including use of personal protective equipment and proper waste disposal.

Occurrence

SrF2 is produced commercially for industrial uses and is not known as a common natural mineral.