Centrosymmetric (Hdima)2[Ge5B3O15(OH)] and Noncentrosymmetric Na4Ga3B4O12(OH): Solvothermal/Surfactant-Thermal Synthesis of Open-Framework Borogermanate and Galloborate

Galloborates as ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystals: advances and perspectives

Metal borates are excellent source materials for exploring short-wavelength nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals. Galloborates show rich structural chemistry with various coordination configurations of Ga cation and B-O anionic units and are suitable candidates as ultraviolet NLO crystals. Up to now, the shortest cut-off edge of galloborates was reported to be down to 190 nm in KCs2Ga(B5O10)(OH), while the largest second harmonic generation (SHG) effect of galloborates was reported to be up to 4.6 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP) in Na5Ga[B7O12(OH)]2·2B(OH)3. Herein, we give a detailed summary of the recent progress in NLO inorganic galloborates, where these galloborates are grouped into two types in terms of their compositions: (1) alkali/alkaline earth metal galloborates and (2) alkali/alkaline earth metal galloborate halides. We discuss their structural features, band gaps, and SHG intensities. Finally, we give future perspectives in this field.

Sr2[B5O8(OH)]2 ⋅ [B(OH)3] ⋅ H2O: A Strontium Borate That Shows Deep-Ultraviolet-Transparent Nonlinear Optical Properties

A new noncentrosymmetric strontium borate, P1-Sr2[B5O8(OH)]2 ⋅ [B(OH)3] ⋅ H2O (1), has been synthesized under the hydrothermal condition. The P1-Sr2[B5O8(OH)]2 ⋅ [B(OH)3] ⋅ H2O shows a layered B-O network with 9-ring windows in the ab plane. Sr2+ cations, H3BO3, and H2O molecules are located in the voids of layers and interlayers, respectively. The P1-Sr2[B5O8(OH)]2 ⋅ [B(OH)3] ⋅ H2O is the first synthetic phase of veatchite, while the other three polymorphs are found in different natural minerals. This strontium borate is a potential deep-ultraviolet-transparent nonlinear-optical (NLO) crystal whose second-harmonic-generation (SHG) intensity is 1.7 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP) and is phase-matchable. The short wavelength cutoff edge of compound 1 is below 190 nm. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the B-O units are responsible for the nonlinear optical property.

Recent Progress in Crystalline Borates with Edge-Sharing BO4 Tetrahedra

Crystalline borates have received great attention due to their various structures and wide applications. For a long time, the corner-sharing B-O unit is considered a basic rule in borate structural chemistry. The Dy₄B₆O₁₅ synthesized under high-pressure is the first oxoborate with edge-sharing [BO₄] tetrahedra, while the KZnB₃O₆ is the first ambient pressure borate with the edge-sharing [BO₄] tetrahedra. The edge-sharing connection modes greatly enrich the structural chemistry of borates and are expected to expand new applications in the future. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in crystalline borates with edge-sharing [BO₄] tetrahedra. We discuss the synthesis, fundamental building blocks, structural features, and possible applications of these edge-sharing borates. Finally, we also discuss the future perspectives in this field.

Two Acentric Aluminoborates Incorporated d10 Cations: Syntheses, Structures, and Nonlinear Optical Properties

Two acentric aluminoborates (ABOs), [Zn(en)₂Al{B₅O₉(OH)}{BO(OH)₂}] (1) and [Cd(en)₂AlB₅O₁₀]·H₂O (2) (en = ethylenediamine), have been solvothermally made. 1 includes a two-dimensional (2D) wavy ABO layer using B₅O₉(OH) clusters and AlO₃{BO(OH)₂} groups, in which both units can be regarded as three-connected nodes, and simplifying the ABO layer to a hcb-type network. 2 features an acentric three-dimensional (3D) porous framework with a unique unc-type network constituted by strictly alternating connected B₅O₁₀ clusters and AlO₄ units. The structural transformation from a 2D layer 1 to a 3D framework 2 was achieved with the elimination of the terminal hydroxyls in layer 1 by adjusting synthetic conditions in the same solvent system. Metal-amine complexes Zn(en)₂/Cd(en)₂ bond to the inorganic walls and are located in the cavity of frameworks 1 and 2, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit large second-harmonic generation (SHG) responses that are 2.2 and 2.7 times those of KH₂PO₄ (KDP), respectively, which are among the largest powder SHG responses for all deep-ultraviolet (deep-UV) ABOs. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra of 1 and 2 show a wide transparency window below 190 nm. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the B-O units and the introduced distorted d¹⁰ metal polyhedra played a decisive role in the optical properties of both compounds.

Tailoring Hybrid Aluminoborate Frameworks by Incorporating Multicomponent Cadmium-Amine Complexes with Various Conformations

Inorganic-organic hybrid aluminoborates represent a subclass of porous materials, which rely on effective construction method and structure-directing agents. Herein, we prepared a series of hybrid aluminoborates through covalent decoration of unsaturated Cd²⁺ complexes, whose formation take advantage of chelating amine and long-chain diamine as mixed ligands. These isolated compounds, that is, [Cd(en)(1,4-dab)_0.5][AlB₅O₁₀] (1a; its analogue with discrete complex [Cd(en)(dien)H₂O][AlB₅O₁₀] is denoted as 1b), [Cd(1,2-dap)_1.5(1,4-dabH)_0.5]{Al[B₅O₈(OH)₂](B₅O₁₀)_0.5} (2), and [Cd(en)(1,3-dap)][AlB₅O₁₀] (3) feature open frameworks (1a, 1b, and 3) or a sandwich-like porous layer (2) that are constructed by AlO₄ tetrahedra and [B₅O₁₀]^5-/[B₅O₈(OH)₂]^3- clusters. However, they exhibit different structural features in interconnection, channel environment, and topology as a result of diversified interactions between unsaturated complexes and aluminoborate frameworks, that is, through forming two Cd-O bonds with (i) a pair of neighboring BO₃ and AlO₄, (ii) the same AlO₄, or (iii) the same BO₃. The variation in connection mode exerts essential influence on binding effects and steric hindrance that are reflected by changes in interatomic distance, bond angle, window configuration, and interlinkage of units. In addition, the incorporation of unsaturated Cd²⁺ complexes endows these aluminoborate materials with photoluminescence function. Compound 3 with a noncentrosymmetric structure exhibits second harmonic generation (SHG) response approximately 0.7 times that of KDP. The preparation strategy for hybrid aluminoborates proposed here combines well molecular design with templating assembly, whose synergistic effect would be crucial for drawing a rational pathway for inorganic synthesis, especially with focus on structural and functional innovation.

Two layered galloborates from centric to acentric structures: syntheses and NLO properties

Two layered galloborates (GBOs), Na₃GaB₄O₉ (1) and Na₅Ga[B₇O₁₂(OH)]₂·2B(OH)₃ (2), have been solvothermally made. 1 exhibits an unprecedented layer built by GaO₄ tetrahedra and B₄O₉ clusters. 2 was made by raising the ratio of B/Ga and the reaction temperature of 1, featuring a 2D acentric layer built by GaO₄ groups and B₇O₁₃(OH) clusters. 2 shows the highest second-harmonic generation (SHG) response of 4.6 times that of KDP (KH₂PO₄) among main group metal borates (MBOs).

From [B6O13]8− to [GaB5O13]8− to [Ga{B5O9(OH)}{BO(OH)2}]2−: synthesis, structure and nonlinear optical properties of new metal borates

By tuning the synthetic conditions, a 3D gallo-borate with a high second-harmonic generation response was obtained.

Luminescence properties in relation to controllable morphologies of Ba3[Ge2B7O16(OH)2](OH)(H2O):Eu3+ and its thermal conversion product Ba3Ge2B6O16:Eu3

Three types of morphologies of Eu³⁺-doped Ba₃[Ge₂B₇O₁₆(OH)₂](OH)(H₂O) phosphors were obtained via hydrothermal reactions by different kinds of raw materials. In addition, Ba₃Ge₂B₆O₁₆:Eu³⁺ phosphors were obtained by calcining the precursor Ba₃[Ge₂B₇O₁₆(OH)₂](OH)(H₂O):Eu³⁺. The structure and morphology of the obtained samples were characterized by XRD, EDS, FT-IR, TG-DTA, SEM and HRTEM. Herein, the effects of the synthesis parameters, including the reaction temperature, boron sources and the rare earth doping dosage, on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of Ba₃[Ge₂B₇O₁₆(OH)₂](OH)(H₂O) were investigated in detail. The lifetime and absolute quantum yield (QY) of different morphologies of Ba₃[Ge₂B₇O₁₆(OH)₂](OH)(H₂O):Eu³⁺ were also measured. The PL properties of the Ba₃Ge₂B₆O₁₆:Eu³⁺ phosphor prepared by the precursor calcination method compared with those prepared by the high-temperature solid-state method are discussed.

The photoluminescence properties (PL) related to three morphologies of Ba₃[Ge₂B₇O₁₆(OH)₂](OH)(H₂O):Eu³⁺ have been discussed in this paper.

Ca2GeB2O7 and Ca1.78Cd0.22GeB2O7: two acentric borogermanates with a melilite-like structure and short ultraviolet cutoff edge

Herein, two new borogermanates obtained by combining BO₄ with the GeO₄ tetrahedron exhibit short UV absorption edges and display second-harmonic generation signals.

Li2Na2[B12O19(OH)2]: a new open framework borate with a pcu-type net constructed from large cyclic dodeca-oxoboron units

A new open-framework borate with a pcu-type net has been made under solvothermal conditions by incorporating large cyclic dodeca-oxoboron clusters.

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.

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.