New Ln[B6O9(OH)3] borates (Ln = Sm-Lu): Structure, properties, and structural relation to cationic Li4[B7O12]Cl conductors (Li-Boracites)

Crystals of new rare earth borates of the composition Ln[B₆O₉ (OH)₃] (Ln = Sm-Lu), sp. gr. R3c are synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Their crystal structures are determined on single crystals with Ln = Ho, Gd without preliminary determination of their chemical formulas. The polar anionic framework of the crystals consists of BO₃ triangles and BO₄ tetrahedra and has wide channels along the threefold axis of the structure, which are similar to the channels along the a, b, and c axes in cubic Li₄[B₇O₁₂]Cl boracite with Li conductivity. Rare earth atoms are arranged in the structure over the cubic F pseudolattice, whereas the analogous positions in Li boracites are filled with Cl anions. The squared optical nonlinearity of the new crystals is comparable with the nonlinearity of quartz, whereas the electrical conductivity in borates at 300°C exceeds 10⁻⁶ S/cm. __________ Translated from Kristallografiya, Vol. 49, No. 4, 2004, pp. 681–691. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Belokoneva, Ivanova, Stefanovich, Dimitrova, Kurazhkovskaya.