Volume 60, Issue 52 pp. 27151-27157
Research Article

Strong SHG Responses in a Beryllium-Free Deep-UV-Transparent Hydroxyborate via Covalent Bond Modification

Dr. Chao Wu

Dr. Chao Wu

China-Australia Joint Research Center for Functional Molecular Materials, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Dr. Xingxing Jiang

Dr. Xingxing Jiang

Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Lin Lin

Lin Lin

China-Australia Joint Research Center for Functional Molecular Materials, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China

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Wenyan Dan

Wenyan Dan

China-Australia Joint Research Center for Functional Molecular Materials, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China

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Prof. Zheshuai Lin

Prof. Zheshuai Lin

Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

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Prof. Zhipeng Huang

Prof. Zhipeng Huang

China-Australia Joint Research Center for Functional Molecular Materials, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China

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Prof. Mark G. Humphrey

Prof. Mark G. Humphrey

Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601 Australia

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Prof. Chi Zhang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Chi Zhang

China-Australia Joint Research Center for Functional Molecular Materials, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China

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First published: 11 October 2021
Citations: 73

Graphical Abstract

A beryllium-free deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical hydroxyborate, NaSr3(OH)(B9O16)[B(OH)4] (NSBOH), was constructed by a covalent bond modification strategy via a facile hydrothermal reaction. Moisture-stable NSBOH is SHG-active at both 1064 nm and 532 nm, with deep-UV transparency to wavelengths below 190 nm, and good phase-matchability in the near deep-UV region, a rare combination for NLO hydroxyborates.

Abstract

Deep-ultraviolet (deep-UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals are key materials in creating tunable deep-UV lasers for frequency conversion technology. However, practical application of the sole usable crystal, KBe2BO3F2, has been hindered by the high toxicity of beryllium and its layering tendency in crystal growth. Herein, we report a beryllium-free deep-UV NLO material NaSr3(OH)(B9O16)[B(OH)4] (NSBOH), synthesized by a covalent bond modification strategy under hydrothermal conditions. Moisture-stable NSBOH exhibits strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) at 1064 nm (3.3 × KH2PO4) and 532 nm (0.55 × β-BaB2O4), both amongst the largest powder SHG responses for a deep-UV borate, with good phase-matchability and a short wavelength cutoff edge (below 190 nm). NSBOH possesses a 3D covalent anionic [B9O19] honeycomb-like framework with no layering. The Sr2+ and Na+ ions, residing in the cavities of the anionic framework, act as templates for the assembly and favorable alignment of NLO-active groups, resulting in an optimal balance between strong SHG activities and wide UV transparency. These merits indicate NSBOH is a very attractive candidate for deep-UV NLO applications.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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