Flux growth and characterization of gallium-rare earth borates

Abstract

YGa₃(BO₃)₄ single crystals were grown from a K₂Mo₃O₁₀-based flux, and also RGa₃(BO₃)₄ (R = Y, Pr–Yb) spontaneous crystals (RGB) were obtained by a high-temperature flux growth technique from a complex R₂O₃–Bi₂O₃–B₂O₃–Ga₂O₃ solvent. A number of gallium orthoborates, including new ones (PrGa₃(BO₃)₄, TmGa₃(BO₃)₄), were obtained under identical conditions, their stability was determined, and their morphological features were shown. The crystal structure was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and their unit cell parameters were calculated. The micromorphology of the crystals was examined by the SEM method. Differential thermal analysis measurements show that RGa₃(BO₃)₄ (R = Y, Pr–Yb) is an incongruently melting compound with temperatures varying with the rare earth cation type.