From Ag2Sb2O6 to Cd2Sb2O7: Investigations on an anion-deficient to ideal pyrochlore solid solution

A complete solid solution between the anion-deficient pyrochlore Ag2Sb2O6 and the ideal pyrochlore Cd2Sb2O7 has been synthesized and investigated through various techniques including X-ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic spectroscopy, and 121Sb-Mössbauer spectroscopy. Optical and electrical measurements have been performed, and computational methods have been applied to determine the density of states. Photocatalytic activity was monitored by the degradation of Methylene Blue, and upon cadmium substitution, the degradation amount decreased, which is attributed primarily to the changing optical and electrical properties of the solid solution.