Na8MB21O36 (M = Rb and Cs): Noncentrosymmetric Borates with Unprecedented [B21O36]9– Fundamental Building Blocks

Three Polyborates with High-Symmetry [B12O24] Units Featuring Different Dimensions of Anion Groups

Three polyborates, namely, LiNa₁₁B₂₈O₄₈, Li_1.45Na_7.55B₂₁O₃₆, and Li₂Na₄Ca₇Sr₂B₁₃O₂₇F₉, were synthesized via the high-temperature solution method. All of them feature high-symmetry [B₁₂O₂₄] units, yet their anion groups exhibit distinct dimensions. LiNa₁₁B₂₈O₄₈ features a three-dimensional anionic structure of ³[B₂₈O₄₈]_∞ framework, which is composed of three units: [B₁₂O₂₄], [B₁₅O₃₀], and [BO₃]. Li_1.45Na_7.55B₂₁O₃₆ possesses a one-dimensional anionic structure of ¹[B₂₁O₃₆]_∞ chain consisting of [B₁₂O₂₄] and [B₉O₁₈] units. The anionic structure of Li₂Na₄Ca₇Sr₂B₁₃O₂₇F₉ is composed of two zero-dimensional isolated units, namely, [B₁₂O₂₄] and [BO₃]. The novel FBBs [B₁₅O₃₀] and [B₂₁O₃₉] are present in LiNa₁₁B₂₈O₄₈ and Li_1.45Na_7.55B₂₁O₃₆, respectively. The anionic groups in these compounds exhibit a high degree of polymerization, thereby augmenting the structural diversity of borates. And the crystal structure, synthesis, thermal stability, and optical properties were meticulously discussed to guide the synthesis and characterization of novel polyborates.

Na4[B6O9 (OH)3](H2O) Cl: A Deep-Ultraviolet Transparent Nonlinear Optical Borate Chloride with {[B6O9 (OH)3]3-}∞ Chains

The development of nonlinear-optical (NLO) crystals with short ultraviolet cutoff edges is significant and challenging. Here, a new sodium borate chloride, Na₄[B₆O₉ (OH)₃](H₂O) Cl, was successfully obtained by the mild hydrothermal method, which crystallizes in a polar space group Pca2₁. The structure of the compound is characterized by {[B₆O₉ (OH)₃]^3-}_∞ chains. Measurements of optical properties indicate the compound exhibits a deep-ultraviolet (DUV) cutoff edge (≤200 nm) and moderate second harmonic generation response (0.4 × KH₂PO₄). It presents the first DUV hydrous sodium borate chloride NLO crystal and the first sodium borate chloride possessing a one-dimensional B-O anion framework. Probing into the connection of structure and optical properties has been performed based on theoretical calculations. These results are instructive for designing and obtaining new DUV NLO materials.

Rational Design of the First Ammonium Magnesium Borate with Deep-Ultraviolet Cutoff Edge and Moderate Birefringence and Further Investigation into the Nature of Ammonium in the Borate System

Through the rational design of the experimental method, the first combination of ammonium and magnesium in the borate system was successfully achieved. In this paper, a case of ammonium magnesium borate, (NH₄)₂{Mg(H₂O)₂[B₆O₇(OH)₆]₂}·2H₂O, was successfully synthesized by a mild hydrothermal method at a relatively low temperature. A brief review was performed to show the participation of NH₄⁺ in the recent development of optical materials. By discussing the optimum synthesis method of ammonium-containing borates and the main factors affecting the dimensionality of B-O anionic groups in their structures, the design strategy for synthesizing ammonium-containing borate and adjusting its structure has been put forward. Relevant experimental measurement results and the first-principles calculation results show that the title compound has a deep-UV cutoff edge (<200 nm) and moderate birefringence (Δn_cal. = 0.064 @546 nm), which indicates its potential application in the deep-UV region.

Sr3B14O24: a new borate with a [B14O30] fundamental building block and an unwonted 2D double layer

A new alkaline-earth metal borate, Sr₃B₁₄O₂₄, was successfully synthesized by a high-temperature solution method. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (no. 14) and features a fundamental building block (FBB) [B₁₄O₃₀] which is composed of eight [BO₃] and six [BO₄] units. The FBBs further condense to form an unwonted infinite 2D double layer extended in the bc plane. The UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum shows that the cutoff edge of Sr₃B₁₄O₂₄ is less than 200 nm, which indicates its potential use in the deep UV region. In addition, the first principles theoretical study was carried out to better understand the relationship between the structure and performance.

Synthesis, crystal structure and theoretical calculations of two rare-earth borates with DUV cut-off edges

Two isomorphic rare-earth borate crystals, YZnB₅O₁₀ and GdZnB₅O₁₀, show three-dimensional structures constructed from two-dimensional {[B₅O₁₀]⁵⁻}_n layers with the Y or Gd, and zinc ions filled in the interlayers, and exhibit DUV cut-off edges (<190 nm).

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a new mixed alkali and alkaline-earth metal borate Rb9Ba24(BO3)19

Rb₉Ba₂₄(BO₃)₁₉ features an intricate 3D Ba–O framework with three types of infinite channels where the Rb⁺ cations and isolated BO₃ units are located.

LiCs2La(BO3)2 and Li3K9La3(BO3)7: new mixed alkali metal lanthanum borates with three-dimensional open frameworks and short cut-off edges

Two new mixed alkali metal lanthanum borates, LiCs₂La(BO₃)₂ and Li₃K₉La₃(BO₃)₇, were synthesized through a high-temperature solution method and millimeter-sized colorless crystals were obtained. The structures of LiCs₂La(BO₃)₂ and Li₃K₉La₃(BO₃)₇ have an intricate three-dimensional (3D) open framework with one-dimensional (1D) infinite channels surrounded by cation polyhedra and isolated BO₃ units. In particular, LiCs₂La(BO₃)₂ exhibits a short cut-off edge <190 nm and a large experimental band gap of 6.20 eV, evidenced by diffuse reflection spectroscopy. Moreover, to better understand the relationship between the electronic structures and optical properties of LiCs₂La(BO₃)₂, theoretical calculations using density functional theory were performed. The result indicated that LiCs₂La(BO₃)₂ has a calculated birefringence of 0.036@1064 nm and the direct band gap is 4.54 eV. In addition, the effects of ion substitution on structural transition and the metal ion/boron ratio on dimensions of the B-O frameworks are also discussed in detail.

Linking 1D Transition-Metal Coordination Polymers and Different Inorganic Boron Oxides To Construct a Series of 3D Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Borates

Three inorganic-organic hybrid borates, M(1,4-dab)[B₅O₇(OH)₃] [M = Zn (1), Cd (2), 1,4-dab = 1,4-diaminobutane)] and Co(1,3-dap)[B₄O₇] (3, 1,3-dap = 1,3-diaminopropane), which integrated characteristics of 1D coordination polymers and 1D/3D inorganic boron oxides have been obtained under solvothermal conditions. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and crystallize in a centrosymmetric space group P2₁/c; the 3D achiral structures of 1 and 2 consist of the nonhelical Zn/Cd-1,4-dap coordination polymers and 1D B-O chains. Compound 3 crystallizes in a chiral space group P4₃2₁2; the helical Co-1,3-dap coordination polymer chains are entrained within a 3D B-O network and finally form the chiral framework. Compounds 1-3 represent good examples of using coordination polymers to construct mixed-motif inorganic-organic hybrid borates. Compounds 1 and 2 display blue luminescence when excited with UV light.

A new luminescent host material K3GdB6O12: synthesis, crystal structure and luminescent properties activated by Sm3+

A new borate compound K3GdB6O12 has been prepared using a high temperature flux method and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure can be described as a three-dimensional framework that is composed of [B5O10]5− groups, K+ ions and Gd3+ ions. In this structure, one crystallographic distinct site is mixed occupied by K and Gd atoms at the molar ratio of 1:1. Furthermore, Sm3+ ion was used as the activator to test primary of K3GdB6O12 to be used as a luminescent host matrix. A series of phosphors K3Gd1−xB6O12:xSm3+ were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. The photoluminescence properties and concentration quenching of the prepared phosphors were investigated. The results show that K3Gd1−xB6O12:xSm3+ can be efficiently excited by near-UV light. K3Gd1−xB6O12:xSm3+ might be a promising candidate for visual display and solid-state lighting as an orange emission phosphor.

NH4B11O16(OH)2: a new ammonium borate with wavy-shaped polycyclic 2∞[B11O16(OH)2] layers

The ammonium borate NH₄B₁₁O₁₆(OH)₂ has been successfully synthesized by a mild hydrothermal method.