Data for Structural Disorder in (Bi, M)2(Fe, Mn, Bi)2O6+x (M = Na or K) Pyrochlores Seen from Reverse Monte Carlo Analysis of Neutron Total Scattering

Investigation of their local structures through neutron total scattering confirms the extent of disorder within these materials, and furthermore shows significant deviation from the average structure, which is not accounted for through analysis of Bragg data alone.

Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) analysis with a 6 × 6 × 6 supercell was used to model accurately this local disorder, revealing ellipsoidal distributions for A-site potassium, distinctly different to the hollow torus-shaped distributions for the sodium and bismuth cations. It is shown through bond valence sum analysis that whilst these atomic displacements allow for the steric preferences of Bi3+, they are also necessary to satisfy the valence of both the bismuth and the alkali metals on the A sites.