Polyol mediated synthesis of sub-micrometer Bi2O3 particles

Bi₂O₃ particles 70 to 90 nm in size were prepared with the polyol method. According to this method a suitable metal precursor (e.g. halogenide, acetate, alcoholate) and a defined amount of water were heated in a high boiling alcohol (e.g. diethylene glycol). Based on temperatures up to 180°C crystalline -Bi₂O₃ particles were formed. The material was isolated by centrifugation and characterized by XRD and SEM. The size of Bi₂O₃ particles in colloidally stable diethylene glycol suspension as well as in diethylene glycol/water mixtures was determined with laser diffraction methods. These suspensions were used to prepare homogeneous thin Bi₂O₃ particle layers on planar glass substrates.