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 Rb2LiTbB2O6 crystals were obtained from the Rb2CO3–Li2CO3–Tb4O7–H3BO3 system, meanwhile the polycrystalline samples were synthesized by solid-state reaction. Rb2LiTbB2O6 features a complicated 3D network composed of BO3 and TbO8 anionic groups, spanned by Li+ and Rb+ cations. TbO8 dodecahedra connect BO3 triangles to build the zigzag-type $${}_{\infty }^{1} \left[ {{\text{TbO}}_{5} {\text{BO}}_{3} } \right]^{10 - }$$ 1D chains, which further form $${}_{\infty }^{2} \left[ {{\text{TbB}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{6} } \right]^{3 - }$$ 2D layers through linkage of another BO3 triangles. In addition, Rb2LiTbB2O6 exhibits a brightly green light emission and typical paramagnetic behavior, indicating that it can be a promising luminescence and magnetic-optical material.