Role of acentric displacements on the crystal structure and second-harmonic generating properties of RbPbCO3F and CsPbCO3F

Na3K6(CO3)3(NO3)2X·6H2O (X = NO3, Cl, Br): Exploring High-Performance UV Birefringent Crystals Induced by Coplanar π-Conjugated CO3 and NO3 Groups

Planar π-conjugated groups, like CO3, NO3, and BO3 triangles, are ideal functional units for designing birefringent materials due to their large optical anisotropy and wide band gap. The key point for designing birefringent crystals is to select appropriate functional building blocks (FBBs) and the proper arrangement mode. It is well known that the substitution strategy has proven to be a promising and accessible approach. In this work, alkali metals were chosen to regulate and control two different π-conjugated groups, CO3 and NO3, to build new compounds with large birefringence. Subsequently, three new compounds, Na3K6(CO3)3(NO3)2X·6H2O (X = NO3, Cl, Br), were successfully synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The aliovalent substitution between the [NO3]- anionic group and halogen anions [Cl]-/[Br]- has been achieved in these compounds. Na3K6(CO3)3(NO3)2X·6H2O feature the well-coplanar CO3 and NO3 groups in their crystal structure. This coplanar arrangement mode may effectively enhance the anisotropic polarizability of Na3K6(CO3)3(NO3)2X·6H2O. And their experimental birefringence can reach 0.094-0.131 at 546 nm. Diffuse reflectance spectra demonstrate that these compounds exhibit short ultraviolet (UV) absorption edges of ∼235 nm. Meanwhile, Na3K6(CO3)3(NO3)2X·6H2O also have an easily grown capacity under facile conditions. This work not only reports three new potential UV birefringent crystals but also provides a strategy to make the π-conjugated MO3 group coplanar.

Two van der Waals Layered Antimony(III) Phosphites as UV Optical Materials

Herein, two new Sb3+-based phosphites, Sb2O2(HPO3) (I) and Sb2O(HPO3)2 (II), were successfully obtained by ingeniously combining Sb3+-based polyhedra containing stereochemically active lone pair (SCALP) and HPO3 polar groups. Both reported compounds exhibit unique 2D van der Waals layered structures, [Sb4O4(HPO3)2]∞ and [Sb2O(HPO3)2]∞, respectively, which favors compounds with large optical anisotropy. Interestingly, the different curvatures of the two layers resulted in the two title compounds showing significantly different birefringences (0.079@546 and 0.046@546 nm, respectively). Both compounds endow wide optical band gaps (4.32 and 4.54 eV, respectively), which indicates their potential as promising ultraviolet (UV) birefringent crystals. The synthesis of the two title compounds enriched Sb3+-based phosphites in the UV region and provided guidance for the subsequent synthesis of superior optical materials.

New Functional Groups Design toward High Performance Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Materials

ConspectusThe invention of the laser is a pivotal milestone in the evolution of modern science and technology. Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals, which possess the ability to convert frequencies, have found widespread applications in laser science, information transmission, industrial Internet, and other cutting-edge fields within materials and optics. As modern science and technology continue to advance at a rapid pace, existing ultraviolet (UV) and deep ultraviolet (DUV) NLO crystals struggle to meet the ever-growing demands of various applications. Consequently, the development of novel UV and DUV NLO crystals has become an urgent necessity. For a UV NLO crystal to be considered outstanding in the UV/DUV range, it must exhibit three fundamental yet crucial properties: large second-order NLO coefficients, suitable birefringence, and short UV cutoff edge corresponding to a wide band gap. However, these key factors often conflict with one another, making it challenging to achieve a harmonious balance within a single crystal. It is widely believed that these mutually constrained optical properties are codetermined by microscopic NLO-active units and macroscopic structure features. Therefore, how to design high performance UV NLO-active groups to balance these three key properties is an essential scientifically question and serious challenge. In this Account, we present three strategies for designing high-performance UV NLO-active groups: (1) The "tetrahedron partial substitution" strategy by employing various substituents to replace one or more atoms in the traditional nonpolar tetrahedral groups, might achieve the aim of increasing the polarizability anisotropy and hyperpolarizability of the newly formed polar tetrahedral functional groups, such as from SO4 to SO3NH2 or SO3CH3 groups. (2) The "structure-analogue" strategy to develop a range of organic functional groups exhibiting more strong polarizability anisotropy and hyperpolarizability by using inorganic π-conjugated groups, such as BO3 and B3O6 groups, as templates. (3) The "two in one" strategy for integrating groups featuring planar triangle configurations and tetrahedrons to create NLO-active functional groups possessing large band gaps, strong hyperpolarizability, and moderate polarizability anisotropy. These three strategies successfully guide us to design and explore various kinds of organic-inorganic composite NLO crystal materials with excellent performances, like Ba(SO3CH3)2, M(SO3NH2)2 (M = Sr, Ba), C(NH2)3SO3F, KLi(HC3N3O3)·2H2O, KLi(C3H2O4)·H2O, and so on. Finally, we briefly conclude these strategies and propose some prospects for exploring new excellent UV/DUV NLO materials with practical applications. These findings could inspire novel thoughts for researchers designing new UV/DUV NLO materials and providing abundant materials used in UV/DUV regions.

Host-Guest Symmetry Matching in Two Crystalline Magnesium Sulfate Oxalates Obtained Via a Solvent-Free Route

The combination of π-conjugated oxalate anion with sulfate group has been explored in the solvent-free synthesis of two new magnesium sulfate oxalates. One of them has a layered structure crystallized in the noncentrosymmetric space group Ia, while the other has a chainlike structure crystallized in the centrosymmetric space group P2₁/c. The noncentrosymmetric solid has a wide optical bandgap and exhibits a moderate second-harmonic-generation response. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to disclose the origin of its second-order nonlinear-optical response.

Directional Construction of New Nonlinear Optical Bifunctional Units through Molecular Engineering Design Inspired by the B3O7-Typed Configuration

Studies on new functional structural units with both large hyperpolarizability and high anisotropy are essentially important for finding high-performance nonlinear optical (NLO) materials and enriching the material systems. Under the guidance of the "structure-analogue" strategy, the work utilizes the molecular engineering approach to direct the construction of target units, BC₂N₅O₂ and B(C₂N₅)₂ units. The BC₂N₅O₂ unit with a highly analogous structure to the B₃O₇ group and its derivate B(C₂N₅)₂ unit with a configuration of B₅O₁₀ group are designed as NLO-active units. Furthermore, two compounds with these new NLO-active units, BC₂N₅H₆(OH)₂·H₂O (I) and B(C₂N₅H_6.5)₂(NO₃)₂ (II), are synthesized, successfully. These compounds exhibit excellent properties with second-harmonic generation (SHG) responses ranging from 0.5 to 5.9 times that of KDP and large birefringence (Δn_I = 0.181 @ 546.1 nm and Δn_II = 0.148 @ 546.1 nm). Theoretical calculations prove that the BC₂N₅O₂ and B(C₂N₅)₂ units make great contributions to the SHG effects and birefringence, which confirms that the BC₂N₅O₂ and B(C₂N₅)₂ units are novel NLO bifunctional units and could be excellent fundamental building blocks to construct amounts of novel NLO and birefringence crystals. Our studies would enlighten the research studies on biguanide complexes of boron.

Layered Perovskite-like Nitrate Cs2Pb(NO3)2Br2 as a Multifunctional Optical Material

A novel alkali metal lead halide nitrate, Cs₂Pb(NO₃)₂Br₂, has been successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method. Interestingly, the title compound features a distinctive Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite-like layered structure, which induces the outstanding multifunctional optical properties, including a large birefringence (0.147@546 nm) and broad light-orange emission. Detailed structural analysis and theoretical calculations revealed that the large birefringence originates from the p-π interaction between the Pb²⁺ cations and NO₃ groups and that the excellent luminescence properties derive from the distortion of PbO₄Br₄ polyhedra. This work not only enriches the variant structure types of layered perovskites but also guides the further exploration of all-inorganic multifunctional optical materials.

Cd4InO(BO3)3: A New Nonlinear Optical Crystal Exhibiting Strong Second Harmonic Generation Effect and Moderate Birefringence

A new noncentrosymmetric cadmium indium borate, Cd4InO(BO3)3 (CIBO) has been successfully developed via a standard solid-state reaction. Its crystal structure was confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction, which shows that CIBO belongs to the non-centrosymmetric and polar space group Cm. Its structure contains the distorted InO6 and CdOn (n = 6, 8) polyhedra, which link together by sharing an edge or corner to build a three dimensions framework with BO3 triangles accommodated in tunnels. Benefiting from the approximately parallel configuration of BO3 triangles, CIBO exhibited a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) effect (3 × KDP), and moderate birefringence of 0.077@1064 nm. Further optical and thermal characterizations suggest that CIBO possesses a wide transparent window and good thermal stability. Theoretical calculation reveals that the macroscopic SHG coefficients of CIBO results from the synergistic effect of the parallel arrangement of BO3 groups and d10 Cd2+ cation.

High-pressure synthesis and crystal structure of non-centrosymmetric K2Ca3(CO3)4

A new non-centrosymmetric K2Ca3(CO3)4 crystal (P212121, a = 7.39134(18) Å, b = 8.8153(2) Å, c = 16.4803(4) Å) was synthesized in a multi-anvil press at a pressure of 3 GPa and temperature of 975 °C.

From BaCl2 to Ba(NO3)Cl: significantly enhanced birefringence derived from π-conjugated [NO3]

The chlorine barium nitrate Ba(NO3)Cl was synthesized for the first time to the best of our knowledge and found to exhibit a strong birefringence of 0.178 @ 1064 nm, about 19 times that of BaCl2.

CsHgNO3Cl2: A New Nitrate UV Birefringent Material Exhibiting an Optimized Layered Structure

Developing effective strategies to design novel, excellent birefringent materials has become an emerging challenge. Herein, we report a new UV nitrate birefringent material, CsHgNO₃Cl₂, which is an analogue of the known UV carbonate nonlinear optical crystal KCaCO₃F. In CsHgNO₃Cl₂, a perfect layered structure was produced owing to the alliance of a planar π-conjugated anion NO₃^- and highly electropolarized Hg²⁺ cation. The optimized layered structure that is beneficial in enlarging the optical anisotropy induced a large birefringence (Δn = 0.145@546 nm) for CsHgNO₃Cl₂, even superior to that of the well-known commercial birefringent material α-BBO in the UV region. The strategy that the optimization of planar functional group arrangement is able to boost birefringence is expected to guide the development of high-performance birefringent materials in the future, especially in the field of UV.

(NH4)3[B(OH)3]2(COOH)3: a graphite-like UV nonlinear optical material with a large birefringence via structural optimization

A novel noncentrosymmetric (NCS) metal-free formic-borate, (NH4)3[B(OH)3]2(COOH)3, has been discovered, which exhibits an infrequent graphite-like structure. The alliance of two types of π-conjugated planar anions BO33- and COOH- produced an optimized layered structure to maximize the anisotropic polarizability, resulting in an extremely large birefringence (0.156@546 nm), larger than that of the classical commercial UV birefringent material α-BBO (0.122@546 nm). This strategy that structural optimization could enhance birefringence will guide the discovery of large birefringence materials, especially in the UV region.

A6Sb4F12(SO4)3 (A = Rb, Cs): Two Novel Antimony Fluoride Sulfates with Unique Crown-like Clusters

Two new antimony fluoride sulfates named A₆Sb₄F₁₂(SO₄)₃ (A = Rb, Cs) with unique crown-like clusters have been successfully synthesized by introducing Sb³⁺ with a stereochemically active lone pair in the sulfate system through a facile hydrothermal method. The structure regulation induced by the cation sizes results in the symmetry difference in these two title compounds, i.e., Rb₆Sb₄F₁₂(SO₄)₃ crystallizing in the polar noncentrosymmetric (NCS) space group of P3 and Cs₆Sb₄F₁₂(SO₄)₃ in the centrosymmetric (CS) space group of P1̅. Detailed characterizations, including XRD, thermal behaviors, optical properties, and the theoretical calculations, for these two compounds have been performed. The discovery of the unique crown-like clusters observed in A₆Sb₄F₁₂(SO₄)₃ (A = Rb, Cs) enriches the diversity of structures for antimony sulfates systems. Simultaneously, a summary and comparison for all reported antimony halide sulfates has been made to illustrate the synergistic effect of the stoichiometric ratio and cation sizes on the macroscopic centricity and the framework structure, which will guide the systematical discovery of antimony(III)-based functional materials in future.

First-principles investigation of the ferroelectric, piezoelectric and nonlinear optical properties of LiNbO3-type ZnTiO3

The newly synthesized LN-type ZnTiO₃ (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 2748) contains cations with the electronic configurations nd¹⁰ (Zn²⁺: 3d¹⁰) along with second-order Jahn-Teller (SOJT) nd⁰ (Ti⁴⁺: 3d⁰) cations. This is different from traditional ferroelectrics with the electric configurations of d⁰ transition metal ions or/and lone pair electrons of ns². Using a first-principles approach based on density functional theory, we investigate the electronic structure, zone-center phonon modes, piezoelectric and nonlinear optical properties of the LiNbO₃-type ZnTiO₃. The electronic structure indicates that this compound is a wide direct-band-gap insulator. The results reveal that this compound is a good ferroelectric material with a large spontaneous polarization of 90.43μC/cm². The Raman scattering peaks of A₁ and E modes are assigned to their zone-center optical modes. Additionally, the large piezoelectric and nonlinear optical susceptibilities reveal that LiNbO₃-type ZnTiO₃ is a high-performance lead-free piezoelectric and nonlinear optical crystal.

Y8O(OH)15(CO3)3Cl: an excellent short-wave UV nonlinear optical material exhibiting an infrequent three-dimensional inorganic cationic framework

An excellent short-wave UV nonlinear optical material, Y₈O(OH)₁₅(CO₃)₃Cl, featured an infrequent three-dimensional inorganic cationic framework.

Na4Yb(CO3)3F: A New UV Nonlinear Optical Material with a Large Second Harmonic Generation Response

A new nonlinear optical crystals fluoride carbonate, Na4Yb(CO3)3F, has been synthesized by mild hydrothermal method. The Na4Yb(CO3)3F crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group Cc (no. 9) with the lattice parameters a = 8.018(3), b = 15.929(5), c = 13.950(5) Å and β = 101.425(6)°. The compound Na4Yb(CO3)3F has a high density of [CO3] groups. The structure can be described as one-dimensional [Na5Yb(CO3)2F2] chains connected by [CO3] groups, forming an intricate three-dimensional (3D) framework. Other Na+ and Yb3+ cations are located in the cavities of 3D network. The powder second harmonic generation (SHG) measurement shows that Na4Yb(CO3)3F features a large SHG response, about 4.3 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP), and is a phase-matchable material. In addition, its UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectral data indicate that Na4Yb(CO3)3F has a large optical gap about 4.72 eV, which corresponds to the UV cut-off edge of 263 nm.

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of a new fluorocarbonate with an interesting sandwich-like structure

A new fluorocarbonate, Na3Zn2(CO3)3F, was synthesized using a subcritical hydrothermal method. Na3Zn2(CO3)3F crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a sandwich-like framework in which the stacked [Zn(CO3)]∞ layers are connected with one another by bridging F atoms and [CO3] groups alternately. Interestingly, each Zn atom is surrounded by one F atom and four O atoms, forming a distorted [ZnO4F] trigonal bipyramid, which is observed for the first time in the carbonate system. Na3Zn2(CO3)3F has high transparency in a wide spectral region ranging from UV to mid IR with a short ultraviolet absorption edge (∼213 nm). First-principles calculations revealed that Na3Zn2(CO3)3F possesses a large birefringence (Δn = 0.11, λ = 589 nm), which is mainly contributed by the coplanar arrangement of [CO3] groups in the ab plane. Na3Zn2(CO3)3F might find applications as a UV birefringence crystal.

Noncentrosymmetric (NCS) solid solutions: elucidating the structure-nonlinear optical (NLO) property relationship and beyond

A systematic approach toward the discovering of novel functional noncentrosymmetric (NCS) materials revealing technologically useful applications is an ongoing challenge. This Frontiers article investigates a series of NCS solid solutions with respect to their crystal structure and second-harmonic generation (SHG) response. The solid solutions include NCS polar aluminoborates, Al_5-xGa_xBO₉ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5), rare earth element-doped bismuth tellurites, Bi_2-xRE_xTeO₅ (RE = Y, Ce, and Eu; 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2), layered perovskites, Bi_4-xLa_xTi₃O₁₂ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.75: Aurivillius phases) and CsBi_1-xEu_xNb₂O₇ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2: Dion-Jacobson phases), calcium bismuth oxides, Ca₄Bi_6-xLn_xO₁₃ (Ln = La and Eu; x = 0, 0.06 and 0.12), and sodium lanthanide iodates, NaLa_1-xLn_x(IO₃)₄ (Ln = Sm and Eu; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1). The origin of SHG for all the NCS solid solutions is discussed and the detailed structure-nonlinear optical (NLO) property relationships are elucidated. In addition, photoluminescence (PL) properties and subsequent energy transfer mechanisms for NCS solid solutions are provided.

Role of spin-orbit interaction on the nonlinear optical response of CsPbCO3F using DFT

We explore the effect of spin-orbit interaction (SOI) on the electronic and optical properties of CsPbCO₃F using the full potential linear augmented plane wave method with the density functional theory (DFT) approach. CsPbCO₃F is known for its high powder second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficient (13.4 times (d₃₆ = 0.39 pm V^-1) that of KH₂PO₄ (KDP)). Calculations are done for many exchange correlation (XC) potentials. After the inclusion of SOI, the calculated Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson (TB-mBJ) band gap of 5.58 eV reduces to 4.45 eV in agreement with the experimental value. This is due to the splitting of Pb p-states. Importantly, the occurrence of a band gap along the H-A direction (indirect) transforms to the H-H (direct) high symmetry points/direction in the first Brillouin zone. We noticed a large anisotropy in the calculated complex dielectric function, absorption, and refractive index spectra. The calculated static birefringence of 0.1049 and 0.1057 (with SOI) is found to be higher than that of the other carbonate fluorides. From the Born effective charge (BEC) analysis we notice that the Cs atom shows a negative contribution to birefringence whereas Pb, C, and F atoms show a positive contribution. In addition, we have also calculated the nonlinear optical χ(-2ω;ω,ω) dispersion of a CsPbCO₃F single crystal. We found that d₁₁ = d₁₂ = 4.35 pm V^-1 at 1064 nm, which is 11.2 times higher than d₃₆ of KDP. The origin of the highly nonlinear optical susceptibility dispersion of CsPbCO₃F is explained. Overall, our results are in agreement with experiments and it is obvious from the present study that CsPbCO₃F is a direct band gap, large second harmonic generation, and good phase matchable NLO crystal in the ultraviolet region.

Denticity and Mobility of the Carbonate Groups in AMCO3F Fluorocarbonates: A Study on KMnCO3F and High Temperature KCaCO3F Polymorph

We report on a thorough structural study on two members of layered fluorocarbonates KMCO₃F (M = Ca, Mn). The Ca-based member demonstrates a phase transition at ∼320 °C, evidenced for the first time. The crystal structure of the high temperature phase (HT-KCaCO₃F) was solved using neutron powder diffraction. A new Mn-based phase KMnCO₃F was synthesized, and its crystal structure was solved from electron diffraction tomography data and refined from a combination of X-ray synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction. In contrast to other members of the fluorocarbonate family, the carbonate groups in the KMnCO₃F and HT-KCaCO₃F structures are not fixed to two distinct orientations corresponding to mono- and bidentate coordinations of the M cation. In KMnCO₃F, the carbonate group can be considered as nearly "monodentate", forming one short (2.14 Å) and one long (3.01 Å) Mn-O contact. This topology provides more flexibility to the MCO₃ layer and enables diminishing the mismatch between the MCO₃ and KF layers. This conclusion is corroborated by the HT-KCaCO₃F structure, in which the carbonate groups can additionally be tilted away from the layer plane thus relieving the strain arising from geometrical mismatch between the layers. The correlation between denticity of the carbonate groups, their mobility, and cation size variance is discussed. KMnCO₃ orders antiferromagnetically below T_N = 40 K.

Theoretical perspectives on the structure, electronic, and optical properties of titanosilicates Li2M4[(TiO)Si4O12] (M = K+, Rb+)

The structure–property relationship of new transition-metal silicates, used as promising SHG materials, was unraveled using theoretical perspectives.

A promising lead-free fluoride carbonate SHG material designed from a theoretical perspective

The structure–property relationships of a new lead-free fluoride carbonate SHG material were systematically studied using first-principles calculations.

Toward the Rational Design of Novel Noncentrosymmetric Materials: Factors Influencing the Framework Structures

Solid-state materials with extended structures have revealed many interesting structure-related characteristics. Among many, materials crystallizing in noncentrosymmetric (NCS) space groups have attracted massive attention attributable to a variety of superb functional properties such as ferroelectricity, pyroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. In fact, the characteristics are pivotal to many industrial applications such as laser systems, optical communications, photolithography, energy harvesting, detectors, and memories. Thus, for the past several decades, a great deal of synthetic effort has been vigorously made to realize these technologically important properties by improving the occurrence of macroscopic NCS space groups. A bright approach to increase the incidence of NCS structures was combining local asymmetric units during the initial synthesis process. Although a significant improvement has been achieved in obtaining new NCS materials using this strategy, the majority of solid-state materials still crystallize in centrosymmetric (CS) structures as the locally unsymmetrical units are easily lined up in an antiparallel manner. Therefore, discovering an effective method to control the framework structure and the macroscopic symmetry is an imminent ongoing challenge. In order to more effectively control the overall symmetry of solid-state compounds, it is critical to understand how the backbone and the subsequent centricity are affected during the crystallization. In this Account, several factors influencing the framework structure and centricity of solid-state materials are described in order to more systematically discover novel NCS materials. Recent studies on crystalline solid-state materials suggest three factors affecting the local coordination environment as well as the overall symmetry of the framework structure: (1) size variations of the various template cations, (2) a variable backbone arrangement occurring from the hydrogen-bonding interactions, and (3) the presence of framework flexibility. With regard to the first factor, the impact of size of the various metal cations and coordination numbers on the alignment of other adjacent polyhedra, linkers, and lone pairs determining the framework geometries of mixed metal oxides is analyzed. The second factor considers the regulation of crystallographic centricity determined by the availability of hydrogen-bonding interactions between anionic frameworks containing local asymmetric polyhedra and organic cations. Finally, the third factor explores the framework architecture and the space group symmetry influenced by the flexibility of polyhedra revealing variable coordination numbers. The centricity and framework of new solid-state materials might be controlled by using a variety of synthetically controllable asymmetric units such as organic structure-directing cations and linkers with different sizes and functional groups.

A Polar Titanium-Organic Chain with a Very Large Second-Harmonic-Generation Response

A noncentrosymmetric (NCS) titanium-organic compound, [H₂N(CH₃)₂]TiO{[NC₅H₃(CO₂)₂][NC₅H₄(CO₂)]} (CAUMOF-18), has been synthesized by a solvothermal reaction. The aligned unidimensional polar chain structure of CAUMOF-18 consisting of corner-shared distorted TiO₅N₂ pentagonal bipyramids is attributed to strong hydrogen-bonding and π-π interactions. CAUMOF-18 reveals a very strong second-harmonic-generation efficiency of 400 times that of α-SiO₂ and is phase-matchable (type I). Water-molecule-driven reversible centricity conversion and topotactic transformation to TiO₂ microrods for CAUMOF-18 are also presented.

A(2+) Cation Control of Chiral Domain Formation in A(TiO)Cu4(PO4)4 (A = Ba, Sr)

Single crystals of two novel tetragonal chiral materials, A(TiO)Cu4(PO4)4 (A = Ba, Sr), were grown from Na2Mo2O7 flux, and their crystal and chiral domain structures were characterized. Polarized-light microscopy studies of the chiral domain structures in the crystals show that Ba(TiO)Cu4(PO4)4 mostly hosts a multidomain state, while a monodomain state predominantly appears in Sr(TiO)Cu4(PO4)4. To explain this striking difference, we quantified the chirality strength of these materials by comparing atomic positions in the chiral and nearest-achiral crystal structures, revealing larger chirality strength in Sr(TiO)Cu4(PO4)4 than in Ba(TiO)Cu4(PO4)4. Our proposed mechanisms linking the chirality strength and domain formation can account for the different occurrence frequency of chiral domains in this system.