Crystal growth of MgAlB14-type compounds using metal salts and some properties

LEAlB14 (orthorhombic, Imam) (LE = Li, Mg) crystals were grown using metal salts (Li2CO3, LiF, LiI, MgO, MgF2, MgI2) and crystalline boron from a high-temperature aluminium metal flux. The growth conditions for growing LEAlB14 were established using the starting mixtures of B/LE = 2.0, and Al metal was added to each mixture at a mass ratio of 1:15–20. LEAlB14 crystals from the Al-self flux using metal salts could be obtained from all the different salts. The maximum dimensions of LiAlB14 and MgAlB14 crystals were approximately 18 and 12 mm for the crystals obtained from LiF and MgF2. The unit-cell parameters of as-grown LEAlB14 are as follows: for LiAlB14, obtained from LiF, a = 0.5846 (2) nm, b = 0.8144 (2) nm, c = 1.0355 (3) nm, V = 0.4930 (2) nm3: for MgAlB14, obtained from MgF2, a = 0.5845 (2) nm, b = 0.8114 (2) nm, c = 1.0330 (3) nm, V = 0.4899 (3) nm3. Microhardness, oxidation resistance and magnetic susceptibility of these materials are described in detail.