Synthesis, single crystal structure, optical, and magnetic properties of mixed-alkali-metal terbium borate Rb 2 LiTbB 2 O 6

Mixed-alkali-metal terbium-based borate Rb 2 LiTbB 2 O 6 crystals were obtained from the Rb 2 CO 3 –Li 2 CO 3 –Tb 4 O 7 –H 3 BO 3 system, meanwhile the polycrystalline samples were synthesized by solid-state reaction. Rb 2 LiTbB 2 O 6 features a complicated 3D network composed of BO 3 and TbO 8 anionic groups, spanned by Li + and Rb + cations. TbO 8 dodecahedra connect BO 3 triangles to build the zigzag-type _∞^1[ TbO_5BO_3]^10 - 1D chains, which further form _∞^2[ TbB_2O_6]^3 - 2D layers through linkage of another BO 3 triangles. In addition, Rb 2 LiTbB 2 O 6 exhibits a brightly green light emission and typical paramagnetic behavior, indicating that it can be a promising luminescence and magnetic-optical material.