Formation of a Eu(III) borate solid species from a weak Eu(III) borate complex in aqueous solution

In the presence of polyborates (detected by 11B-NMR) a weak Eu(III) borate complex formation (lg beta ~ 2, estimated) was observed with time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). This complex is a precursor for the formation of a solid Eu(III) borate species. The formation progress of this solid was investigated by TRLFS in dependence on the total boron concentration: The lower the total boron concentration the slower is the solid formation. The solid Eu(III) borate was characterized by IR spectroscopy, powder XRD, solid-state TRLFS. The determination of the europium to boron ratio portends the existence of pentaborate units in the amorphous solid.