Synthesis and Characterization of the Ternary Thiobismuthates A9Bi13S24 (A = K, Rb)

Abstract

Ternary alkali metal thiobismuthates ABiS (A = K, Rb) were synthesized by direct combination reactions at 650 °C. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/m (no. 12) with cell parameters a = 30.919(1) Å, b = 4.1008(2) Å, c = 20.9072(9) Å, β = 105.826(3)° for KBiS (1) and a = 31.823(6) Å, b = 4.1177(8) Å, c = 21.086(4) Å, β = 105.62(3)° for RbBiS (2). The crystal structure of 1 contains a 3D [KBiS] polyanionic framework, whereas 2 consists of 2D [RbBiS] polyanionic slabs stacked along [201]. Both 1 and 2 are semiconductors with a band gap of 1.4 and 1.3 eV, respectively, which is supported by an electronic structure calculation. 1 melts congruently at 580 °C, while 2 melts incongruently at 575 °C. 1 and 2 are airstable and insoluble in water and organic solvents.