Structure of russellite (Bi2WO6): origin of ferroelectricity and the effect of the stereoactive lone electron pair on the structure

The structure of the low-temperature polar (orthorhombic) phase of russellite (Bi 2 WO 6 ) was examined on artificial specimens with precise single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. The final atomic arrangement thus obtained was identical to that reported by Knight [ Miner. Mag . (1992), 56 , 399–409] with powder neutron diffraction. The residual density attributable to a stereochemically-active lone pair of electrons of bismuth was prominent at approximately the centre of a larger cap of BiO 8 square antiprisms, that is on the line from the Bi sites to an adjacent WO 4 2− slab along the b -axis direction. Quite uneven Bi—O distances and the formation of a vacant coordination hemisphere (within 3 Å) should, therefore, be ascribed to the strong demand of bismuth to form shorter Bi—O bonds to use up its electrostatic charge within its coordination environment. The shift of bismuth along − c propagates via the correlated shift of the W site and these cooperative shifts cause ferroelectricity in the compound. This propagation was easily effected by the intrusion of molecules such as acetone into the structure.