Synthesis, crystal structure, and thermal stability of double borate Na3ErB2O6

Abstract

Double borate Na3ErB2O6 was synthesized by the solid-state reaction. The crystal structure of Na3ErB2O6 was refined by the Rietveld method: P21/c, a = 6.49775(14) Å, b = 8.50424(17) Å, c = 12.0067(3) Å, β = 118.4797(9)°, Z = 4. The crystal structure of Na3ErB2O6 consists of –[ErO6]∞-chains along the "b" axis, which are linked by BO3 triangles in a three-dimensional framework. Sodium atoms occupy empty positions inside the channels. The thermal behavior of Na3ErB2O6 was studied in detail in the range of 25–1150 °C range by DSC and TG methods. Na3ErB2O6 congruently melts at 1116 °C. Based on the results of DSC measurements, three reversible phase transitions were found for Na3ErB2O6.

Keywords

• sodium rare-earth borate
• solid-state reaction
• crystal structure
• rietveld refinement
• thermal analysis