Growth and Characterization of Novel SrB2O4 Crystals

A new polymorph modification of SrB2O4 was obtained from melt containing Sr2CO3, H3BO3 and CuCl2·2H2O with a molar ratio of 2:2:1. The growth was carried out by cooling the melt from 1180 to 860 °C. The obtained material looks like a green bulk mass at the edges, of which grew transparent single crystals of SrB2O4 (approximately 0.1 × 0.2 × 0.1 mm in size). The crystals were studied by scanning electron microscopy, single crystal, powder X-ray diffraction, DTA/TG and FTIR spectroscopy. The single crystal structure data of SrB2O4 shows orthorhombic Pna21 symmetry. The structure is built up of linked BO4 and BO3 units and the charge is compensated by strontium cations.