A General Strategy to Superstructured Networks and Nested Self-Similar Networks of Bismuth Compounds

We have reported the synthesis of superstructured nanonetworks of BiOCl and nested nanonetworks of Bi2S3 in a series of lattice-directed topotactic transformations [C. F. Guo et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2011, 138, 8211–8215]. Here we extend the transformations to a much broader system including ordered nanowall networks of BiOCl, BiOBr, Bi2O2CO3, β-Bi2O3, and Bi2S3, as well as nested self-similar networks of Bi2S3 and amorphous BiOx. We suggest even more superstructured networks and nested self-similar networks of bismuth compounds with a lattice parameter of ∼2n/2 × 3.9 Å (n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4), might also be obtained. The superstructured networks and nested networks are novel architectures that may find applications in electronic devices, sensors, filters, and photocatalysts.