Formation and decomposition of the Bi2TeO6 compound

XRD and SEM studies of the formation of Bi2TeO6 confirmed that the Bi2TeO6 compound forms in an oxygen atmosphere and also during prolonged calcination in air. At elevated temperatures the compound decomposes with the degree of the decomposition being dependent on the oxygen partial pressure. The decomposition products were identified as Bi6Te2O15 and the high-temperature phase 2Bi2O3·3TeO2+x. The sublimation of TeO2 was proved not to be the main reason for the appearance of the Bi6Te2O15 phase during the decomposition of Bi2TeO6.