Molten Salt Synthesis of Bi4(V0.85Co0.15)2O11−δ (BICOVOX) Ceramic Powders

Abstract

Cobalt (15 at.%)-doped bismuth vanadate, Bi4(V0.85Co0.15)2O11−δ (BICOVOX) is known to have high oxygen ion conduction. However, the conductivity is highly anisotropic due to its layered structure. In this paper, we report the synthesis of BICOVOX powders with platelet habit by molten salt synthesis using a NaCl–KCl eutectic mixture as the reaction medium. The effects of treatment temperature and time on the morphology and phase content of the BICOVOX powders were investigated. By this method, it is possible to synthesize powders with platelets of major face dimension ∼50 μm and aspect ratio (major face dimension to thickness) as high as 15.