Gamma-Bi(4)V(2)O(11) – a layered oxide material for ion exchange in aqueous media

Layered perovskite oxides have attracted considerable attention due to their potential application in photoelectricity and catalysis. The unique character of layered perovskites as ion-exchange materials provides the possibility of creating structural diversity. A new ion-exchange reaction in aqueous solution was observed in layered oxide gamma-Bi(4)V(2)O(11). When employed in ion exchange, gamma-Bi(4)V(2)O(11) is converted into the scheelite-type phase (ABO(4)) by selectively discarding Aurivillius-type sheets, and is also converted into the A2X3 phase by selectively dissolving perovskite-like layers. Metal-doped BiVO(4) and Bi(2)O(3) were obtained using such an ion-exchange reaction.