Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Cation Transport of Tripotassium Pentabismuth Arsenate K₃Bi₅(AsO₄)₆

Abstract

During the exploration of the K₂O-Bi₂O ₃ -As₂O₅ system, single crystals of a new arsenate of trivalent bismuth, K₃Bi₅(AsO₄) ₆, were isolated by solid state reaction at 600°C. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c (N°15) with a = 18.257(2) Å, b = 7.260(1) Å, c = 20.130(4) Å, β = 119.86(1)°, and Z = 4. Its structure consists of a three-dimensional framework made up of AsO₄ tetrahedra and BiO₆ and BiO₇ polyhedra sharing edges and corners, delimiting cavities wherein K⁺ ions reside. This compound exhibits a potassium ion conductivity but with rather low conductivity value.

Keywords:

• Arsenate
• bismuth
• cation transport
• crystal structure
• potassium
• synthesis