Flux Growth, Thermal Stability, and Luminescence Properties of RAl2.07(B4O10)O0.6 (R = La–Nd) Crystals

In this paper, we report growth of RAl2.07(B4O10)O0.6 (R = La–Nd) rare earth aluminum dimetaborate single crystals from a K2Mo3O10-based fluxed melt. We have studied the composition and thermal properties of the crystals and luminescence spectra of Tb3+- and Eu3+-doped (Eu,Tb)LaAl2.07(B4O10)O0.6 solid solutions. The results demonstrate that such compounds have a tendency toward gradual decomposition in open systems at temperatures below their melting point. We have identified the mechanism of their decomposition as a function of the nature of the RE cation. The Tb3+-doped material exhibits luminescence with a peak emission wavelength of 541 nm, and the strongest Eu3+ luminescence peak is located at 613 nm.