Crystallization of solid solutions based on double borates with huntite structure

Abstract

Single crystals of RE x Y 1− x Al 3(BO 3) 4 (REYAB), where RE=Nd, Gd, Ho, Yb and Lu, have been obtained from fluxed melts based on potassium trimolybdate. The Nd x Gd 1− x Al 3(BO 3) 4 (NGAB) ( x=0.2) have also been grown by top seeded solution growth (TSSG) method. Effective segregation coefficients of rare earth elements were found to be 0.3–1.03, depending on the type of dopant cations. In the case of Nd x Y 1− x Al 3(BO 3) 4 (NYAB), it increases with increasing Nd 2O 3/Y 2O 3 ratio in the initial mixture. The crystal structure of Nd 0.17Gd 0.83Al 3(BO 3) 4 was refined.