Bismuth derivatives have received tremendous research interests due to their technological importance in various applications ranging from oxide ion conductors, catalysts, band-passfilters, radio frequency applications and others.1–5 The interesting properties are anticipated at the helm of bismuth powder due to its volatile, reactive characteristic and relatively low firing temperature in forming binary or ternary materials with other elements, e.g. bismuth vanadates, bismuth niobates or even structurally complex Bi-based pyrochlores.3–7 However, functionality of these advanced ceramics always relies on compositional variation, control and processing that require better understanding through knowledge advancement in multi-disciplinary...