Synthesis and structure of pseudo-three dimensional hybrid iodobismuthate semiconductors

The synthesis, structures and semiconducting properties of three isostructural, piperazinium-cation based iodobismuthates, [NH2(CH2)(4)NH2][BiI4](2)center dot 4H(2)O, [CH3NH(CH2)(4)NH2][BiI4](2)center dot 3H(2)O and [CH3NH(CH2)(4) HNCH3][BiI4](2)center dot 2H(2)O, are reported. The materials have pseudo-three dimensional structures consisting of infinite chains formed from edge/face sharing [BiI6] octahedra with short interchain I...I interactions of <3.8 angstrom. The materials have band gaps of similar to 1.9-2.0 eV and show variable optoelectronic properties based on the degree of methylation of the templating piperazinium ring-based organic species and the accordingly associated level of solvation in the structure.