Flux growth and spectroscopic studies of LiBaB₉O₁₅ single crystal

Single crystal of LiBaB₉O₁₅ for the first time has been grown from a Li₂Mo₃O₁₀ flux by the top-seeded growth method. Details on the preparation and growth procedures are discussed. The phase structure of the as-grown crystal was determined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The frequencies of the vibrational modes of the crystal were obtained from Infrared and Raman spectrum measurements. The results show that the obtained crystal is well-crystallized and indexed as a trigonal crystal system with lattice parameters of a = b=10.95053 Å, c = 16.88215 Å, and V = 1753.19 Å³. The observed frequencies were assigned on the basis of the BO₃ and BO₄ vibrations, and correlations with previous data reported for the similar compounds. On the basis of the XRD data and interfacial angle measurements, the as-grown crystal was found to be bounded by the (110), (113), and (101) planes. The seed crystal used for producing the crystal was oriented along the [100] direction.