V3O7 · H2O oxide nanostructures: Synthesis and study

Nanorods of orthorhombic V 3 O 7 · H 2 O with the parameters a = 16.805 Å, b = 9.428 Å, and c = 3.660 Å are prepared under hydrothermal conditions ( T = 180–190°C, τ = 30–40 h) from the V 2 O 5 · n H 2 O/H 2 C 2 O 4 · 2H 2 O composite. The particle diameter is 40–70 nm, and the length is several micrometers. The IR spectra, electric conductivity, and thermal properties of the nanorod powder are studied. In air V 3 O 7 · H 2 O begins to decompose at temperatures above 150°C, and at 350°C nanobelts V 2 O 5 40–100 nm wide and 40 µm long are formed. A mechanism of nanostructure formation is suggested.