Structural and Optical Properties of Sb-Substituted BiSI Grown from Sulfur/Iodine Flux.

Bismuth and antimony were reacted in sulfur/iodine flux mixtures at various temperatures and iodine concentrations to explore the effects of these variables on the synthesis and properties of Bi1-xSbxSI products. The products grow as crystals; microprobe elemental analysis and UV/vis/NIR spectroscopy of the Bi1-xSbxSI solid solutions indicate that substitution is homogeneous within individual crystals but varies up to 15% between crystals within each synthesis batch. Raman spectra show a two-mode behavior upon substitution, indicating covalent bonding within the structure, and TEM/SEM data confirm no presence of nanoclustering or segregation within the crystals.