Band Gap Narrowing by Suppressed Lone-Pair Activity of Bi³

Post-transition metal cations with a lone pair (ns²np⁰) electronic configuration such as Pb²⁺ and Bi³⁺ are important components of materials for solar-to-energy conversion. As in molecules like NH₃, the lone pair is often stereochemically active in crystals, associated with distorted coordination environments of these cations. In the present study, we demonstrate that suppressed lone pair stereochemical activity can be used as a tool to enhance visible light absorption. Based on an orbital interaction model, we predict that a centrosymmetric environment of the cations limits the orbital interactions with anions, deactivates the lone pair, and narrows the band gap. A high-symmetry Bi³⁺ site is realized by isovalent substitutions with Y³⁺ by considering its similar ionic radius and absence of a lone pair. The quaternary photocatalyst Bi₂YO₄X is singled out as a candidate for Bi substitution from a survey of the coordination environments in Y-O compounds. The introduction of Bi³⁺ to the undistorted Y³⁺ site in Bi₂YO₄X results in a narrowed band gap, as predicted theoretically and confirmed experimentally. The orbital interaction controlled by site symmetry engineering offers a pathway for the further development of post-transition metal compounds for optoelectronic applications.