Effect of substitution in the scheelite-like series, AxBa1−xBi2Mo4O16 (A = Ca, Sr, Pb)

A new series of solid solutions of the type, AxBa1−xBi2Mo4O16 (A = Ca, Sr, Pb) have been isolated. The domain of the solid solutions is very narrow and is in the range (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.10). All the phases were synthesized by the solid-state technique. The crystal structure is similar to that of the monoclinic scheelite type BaBi2Mo4O16. The structure consists of layers of [Bi2O2] units separated by (Ba/AO)10 units and isolated MoO4 tetrahedra. Their semiconductor band gaps render them as potential materials for photocatalysis.