Preparation and Study of Li₆Y(Bo₃)₃ and Li₆Gd (Bo₃)₃ Double Borates

Li6Y(BO3)3 and Li6Gd (BO3)3 powders were synthesized using wet chemical method. Lithium-nitrate, yttrium-/gadolinium-nitrate and boric acid solutions were mixed in stoichiometric composition, and a colloidal precipitate was obtained by adjusting the pH of the mixture. Li6Y(BO3)3/Li6Gd (BO3)3 phase formation was achieved by annealing the precursors in the 650700 °C temperature range. The reaction steps were monitored by FTIR and Raman-spectroscopy, and the final products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscope. XRD assessment shows that we obtained LYBO/LGBO as dominant phases after a 24 h treatment at 650 °C.