Patent ID: 7576033

Claim:
A process for producing Bi 12 MO 20 particles, in which M represents an element selected from the group consisting of Si and Ge, the process comprising the steps of: i) preparing an alkaline solution of an alkali-soluble compound, which is selected from the group consisting of an alkali-soluble silicon compound and an alkali-soluble germanium compound, ii) preparing a water-soluble bismuth compound solution, and iii) subjecting the alkaline solution and the water-soluble bismuth compound solution to mixing processing with agitation at a temperature of at least 80° C. by use of a shearing agitator comprising a rotating blade and a stator, whereby the alkaline solution and the water-soluble bismuth compound solution are allowed to react with each other; wherein the mixing processing with agitation is performed while each of the alkaline solution and the water-soluble bismuth compound solution is being added at a certain feed rate to an alkaline mother liquor having been heated to a temperature of at least 80° C.