Synthesis, structural and vibrational properties of microcrystalline β-RbSm(MoO4)2

Low-temperature rubidium samarium dimolybdate, β-RbSm(MoO4)2, microplates have been prepared by solid state synthesis at 723K by 70h and 893K by 150h. The crystal structure of β-RbSm(MoO4)2 has been first refined by the Rietveld method in the space group Pbcn with unit cell parameters a=5.1431(2) Å, b=18.8195(7) Å, and c=8.1641(3) Å (RB=4.82%). The crystal structure of β-RbSm(MoO4)2 consists of the layers of MoO4 tetrahedrons corner-sharing with SmO8 square antiprisms. About 20 narrow Raman lines have been observed in Raman spectra recorded for the β-RbSm(MoO4)2 powder sample. [Display omitted] •Low-temperature modification β-RbSm(MoO4)2 is prepared by solid state synthesis.•Crystal structure of β-RbSm(MoO4)2 is refined in space group Pbcn.•Low symmetry coordination is found for Sm3+ ions.