Bi2Fe4O9
bismuth iron oxide · mullite-type bismuth iron oxide
Bi2Fe4O9 is a semiconducting bismuth iron oxide compound that is being studied for its potential use as an oxygen-evolution catalyst.

About bismuth iron oxide
Bi2Fe4O9 is a semiconducting bismuth iron oxide that crystallizes in a mullite-type structure. Its electronic properties and structural configuration make it an interesting candidate for research within the field of oxygen-evolution catalysts, where efficient charge transfer and surface stability are paramount.
As a near-hull material, this compound is considered synthesizable, bridging the gap between theoretical prediction and experimental realization. It serves as a specialized subject for researchers aiming to develop earth-abundant alternatives for electrochemical water splitting and related energy conversion processes.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for bismuth iron oxide, aggregated across 2 databases.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Reported Structures
Lowest-energy structures reported for Bi2Fe4O9, ranked by energy above hull.
| Space GroupSymmetry classification of the crystal arrangement. The number is the international space-group index. | Crystal SystemBroad lattice family, such as cubic, tetragonal, monoclinic, or triclinic, derived from unit-cell symmetry. | Band Gap (eV)Electronic gap calculated for this specific reported structure, measured in electronvolts. | E above hull (eV/atom)Thermodynamic distance from the convex hull for this structure, normalized per atom. Lower is generally more stable. | E/atom (eV)Computed total energy normalized per atom. Use energy above hull, not this value alone, when comparing stability. | Density (g/cm³)Mass per relaxed crystal volume, reported in grams per cubic centimeter. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pbam (No. 55) | orthorhombic | 1.24 | 0.0117 | -7.420 | 6.36 |
| Pnma (No. 62) | orthorhombic | 2.03 | 0.0171 | -7.414 | 6.13 |
| Pbam (No. 55) | — | — | — | — | — |
Synthesis Routes
Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting Bi2Fe4O9.
Applications
Where bismuth iron oxide is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about bismuth iron oxide, answered from cross-validated data.
What is Bi2Fe4O9?
Bi2Fe4O9 is a semiconducting bismuth iron oxide compound that is being studied for its potential use as an oxygen-evolution catalyst.
What is Bi2Fe4O9 used for?
What is the band gap of Bi2Fe4O9?
Is Bi2Fe4O9 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is Bi2Fe4O9 thermodynamically stable?
What is the crystal structure of Bi2Fe4O9?
What is the density of Bi2Fe4O9?
How many polymorphs of Bi2Fe4O9 are known?
How is Bi2Fe4O9 synthesized?
What elements does Bi2Fe4O9 contain?
Where does the data for Bi2Fe4O9 come from?
How It Compares
Within the oxide oxygen-evolution catalysts class.
While many members of the oxide oxygen-evolution class, such as LiCoO2 or LiMn2O4, are primarily recognized for their roles in lithium-ion battery cathodes, Bi2Fe4O9 occupies a distinct niche focused on catalytic activity. Unlike the perovskite-structured BiFeO3, this compound features a unique mullite-type framework that influences its semiconducting behavior and potential catalytic surface interactions.
Related Compounds
Other Oxide Oxygen-Evolution Catalysts in the database.
Data sources & attribution
- materials_project — Data from the Materials Project. Cite: Jain et al., APL Materials 1, 011002 (2013).
- nomad — Data from NOMAD. Cite: Draxl & Scheffler, J. Phys. Mater. 2, 036001 (2019).
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