Nax/2Bi1−x/2MoxV1−xO4 and Bi1−x/3MoxV1−xO4: New Scheelite-related phases

New Scheelite-related solid solutions of the compositions Nax/2Bi1−x/2MoxV1−xO4 (0≤x≤1) and Bi1−x/3 MoxV1−xO4(0≤x≤0.2) have been synthesised by the substitution of Na and Mo at the A and B sites respectively of the ABO4 type ferroelastic BiVO4. The phases were characterised using chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, and Raman spectroscopy. While almost a continuous solid solution is obtained for the series Nax/2Bi1−x/2MoxV1−xO4, the absence of Na at the A-site results only in a narrow stability region for the other series, Bi1−x/3 MoxV1−xO4 where 0≤x≤0.2. Raman spectra of selected samples at room temperature also suggest that vanadium and molybdenum atoms are disordered at the tetrahedral sites.