Synthesis and crystal structure of layered oxyhalides BaPbBi3Nb2O11X (X = Cl, Br, I)

Three new bismuth oxyhalides BaPbBi₃Nb₂O₁₁X (X = Cl, Br, I), including the first perovskite bismuth oxyiodide, were prepared by ceramic route. Their crystal structure is formed by intergrowth of Sillén (PbBiO₂X) and Aurivillius (BaBi₂Nb₂O₉) phases. The results of Rietveld refinements show that the peculiarities of the building blocks (in particular, the distribution of Ba²⁺ and Bi³⁺) remain intact upon formation of the intergrowth structure. The Ba²⁺ cations prefer pure-oxygen to mixed oxygen-halogen environment which can be explained on the basis of bond valence method.