Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of multiferroic β′-Tb2(MoO4)3

•Orthorhombic terbium molybdate, β′-Tb2(MoO4)3 have been fabricated.•The crystal structure β′-Tb2(MoO4)3 has been refined by Rietveld method.•The Raman and luminescence spectrum of β′-Tb2(MoO4)3 has been measured.

Orthorhombic terbium molybdate, β′-Tb2(MoO4)3, microcrystals have been fabricated by solid state synthesis at T = 750–1270 K for t = 290 h. The crystal structure β′-Tb2(MoO4)3 has been refined by Rietveld method in space group Pba2 with cell parameters of a = 10.35387(6), b = 10.38413(6) and c = 10.65695(7) Å (RB = 1.83%). About 40 narrow Raman lines have been observed in the Raman spectrum recorded for the β′-Tb2(MoO4)3 powder sample. The luminescence spectrum of β′-Tb2(MoO4)3 has been measured under the excitation at 355 nm, and the intensive photoluminescence band at 540–550 nm has been found.

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