T.K.Patil1 and K.B.Saraf
In the present investigation, crystals of bismuth tri-Iodate [Bi(IO3)3] were grown by a simple gel technique using single diffusion method. The optimum growth conditions were established by varying various parameters such as pH of gel solution, gel concentration, gel setting time, concentration of reactant etc. Gel was prepared by mixing sodium meta silicate (Na2SiO35H2O), glacial acetic acid (CH3COOH) and supernant bismuth chloride (BiCl3) at pH value 4.4 and transferred in glass tube of diameter 2.5 cm and 25 cm in length. The mouth of test tube was covered by cotton plug and kept it for the setting. After setting the gel, it was left for aging. After 13 days duration the second supernant potassium Iodate (KIO3) of 1M concentration was poured over the set gel by using pipette then it was kept undisturbed. After 72 hours of pouring the second supernatant, the small nucleation growth was observed at below the interface of gel. The good quality monoclinic Bi(IO3)3 crystals were grown in 36 days. These grown crystals were characterized by Magnetic Succeptibility, Electrical Conductivity, EDAX & SEM.
