BORON DOPED RARE EARTH METAL OXIDE COMPOUND

A compound is generally provided that has the formula : Ln3-xBxM5-yByO12, where Ln comprises Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, or a mixture thereof; x is 0 to about 1.5; M comprises Ga, In, Al, Fe, or a combination thereof; y is 0 to about 2.5; and x+y is greater than 0. A composition is also provided that includes a silicon-containing material (e.g., silicon metal and/or a silicide) and the boron-doped refractory compound having the formula described above, such as about 0.001% to about 85% by volume of the boron-doped refractory compound.