Hidden Intermediate Compounds Point to Better Clean-Energy Materials

Researchers at the University of Warwick examined short-lived intermediate phases that appear as molecular precursors are heated and transform into solid materials. They identified a previously unknown form of bismuth vanadate with a distinct atomic structure and unusual light interactions. The work, published in Nature Communications, may support advances in solar fuels, catalysts, batteries, and electronics.

Warwick researchers followed single-source precursors—molecules containing every element needed for a material—as heating transformed them. Rather than studying only the final solid, they trapped short-lived intermediates. One was a kinetically stabilized bismuth vanadate, beta-BiVO4, with a distinct atomic arrangement and much larger band gap.

Bismuth vanadate is known for absorbing sunlight and helping split water into hydrogen fuel. The new form's altered light response could expand ways to tune materials for solar fuel generation, catalytic systems, and electronic devices. Another intermediate stored large amounts of lithium, hinting at battery applications. Published in Nature Communications.