Abstract

Nine new A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Ce, Pr, Eu, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) compounds have been synthesized by solid-state reactions. They are isostructural with six reported analogues of yttrium and other lanthanides and the monoclinic unit cell parameters of all fifteen of them vary linearly with the size of A³⁺ ion. Single crystal X-ray structures of eight A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Ce, Pr, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm) compounds have been determined. Neat A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Pr, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) compounds exhibit characteristic rare earth metal photoluminescence.

Graphical abstract

Among the fifteen isostructural A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=rare earth metal) molybdoantimonites, eight (A=Pr, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) compounds exhibit neat characteristic lanthanide photoluminescence in the 200–800 nm range at room temperature.

Research highlights

► Syntheses of nine new A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Ce, Pr, Eu, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) compounds. ► X-ray structures of eight A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Ce, Pr, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm) compounds. ► Photoluminescence of neat A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Pr, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) compounds.