Bismuth-based Oxides Research Articles

Bi2O3, BiVO4, and Bi2WO6: Impact of Surface Properties on Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light

Bismuth-based oxides have attractive photocatalytic properties under visible light. A better understanding of the origin of that good photocatalytic activity should allow its control and its optimi...

The superconducting bismuth-based mixed oxides

The present paper describes the synthesis, characterization of mixedvalence bismuthates with 3- or 2-dimensional perovskite-like structures and structural criteria that influence superconductivity in these compounds. Single phase samples of Sr1−x K x BiO3 were prepared for the broad range of K-content: 0.25≤x≤0.65. For these bismuthates the symmetry of the structure changes from monoclinic to orthorhombic and finally to tetragonal upon increasing the K-content thus resulting in the decrease of the Bi-O distances and reduction of the network distortions. Superconductivity with maximum T c=12K exists in the narrow range (x≈0.5–0.6) within the stability field of the tetragonal phase (0.33≤x≤0.65), when the 3-dimensional octahedral framework has close to the ideal perovskite structure arrangement. At the same time compositions with close to optimal Bi-valence (x=0.33 and 0.43) do not show any sign of superconductivity, probably, due to structural distortions. The layered type (Ba, K)3Bi2O7 and (Ba, K)2BiO4 bismuthates belonging to the A n+1B n O3n+1 homologous series were investigated. Buckling of the (BiO2) layers in the structure of the n=2 member was revealed. The formation of the n=1 bismuthate was found by Electron Microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction studies. Both types of compounds are considered to be possible candidates for new superconducting materials among bismuthates.

Microstructure and superconducting properties of attrition-milled Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox

The microstructure and superconducting properties of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (Bi-2212) during high-energy attrition milling were investigated in detail by a combination of x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetization techniques. The starting superconducting powder was milled in a standard laboratory attritor using yttria-stabilized ZrO2 balls and a stainless steel tank. After selected time increments, the milling was interrupted and a small quantity of milled powder was removed for further analysis. It was found that the deformation process rapidly refines Bi-2212 into nanometer-size crystallites, increases atomic-level strains, and changes the plate-like morphology of Bi-2212 to granular submicron clusters. At short milling times, the deformation seems localized at weakly linked Bi-O double layers, leading to twist/cleavage fractures along the {001} planes. The Bi-2212 phase decomposes into several bismuth-based oxides and an amorphous phase after excessive deformation. The superconducting transition is depressed by about 10 K in the early stages of milling and completely vanishes upon prolonged deformation. A deformation mechanism is proposed and correlated with the evolution of superconducting properties. The practical implications of these results are presented and discussed.