Synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties of the Gd3BiO3 and Gd8Bi3O8 phases

The second and third known rare-earth bismuthide oxides, Gd3BiO3 and Gd8Bi3O8, have been discovered via high temperature reactions at 1300°C. Like its Gd–Sb–O counterparts, the Gd3BiO3 and Gd8Bi3O8 phases crystallize in the monoclinic C2/m space group, with the latter containing disordered Bi atoms along the b direction of the unit cell. Unlike the RE8Sb3O8 series, the formation of the Gd3BiO3 phase does not necessarily precede the formation of …