A one-step template-free process for the fabrication of pure, doped, and codoped single-crystal MgBO2(OH) nanobelts in high yield has been presented. The growth mechanism of such novel nanobelts has been investigated on the basis of time-dependent experiments and the crystal structure of szaibelyite MgBO2(OH). Upon excitation with 260 nm ultraviolet light, Eu3+-doped nanobelts show a dominant red emission (615 nm) that is visible to the naked eye, indicating that MgBO2(OH) is a new promising host material for the luminescence of rare-earth ions...
