Low-Cost Synthesis of Vanadium Oxide Nanotubes via Two Novel Non-Alkoxide Routes

The synthesis of vanadium oxide nanotubes (VO x -NTs) containing primary monoamines with long alkyl chains has been achieved by two new approaches, using either VOCl 3 or V 2 O 5 as vanadium oxide precursor. The hydrolysis of amine complexes of VOCl 3 involves a ligand-assisted templating mechanism as well as the intercalation of amines in layered V 2 O 5 . Both procedures followed by a hydrothermal treatment lead to VO x -NTs as the main product. The structure and morphology of the tubes obtained have been investigated and are discussed in terms of comparison with those obtained by the previously reported alkoxide route. Due to its low cost and ease of handling, the synthesis starting from V 2 O 5 in particular provides an advantageous access to large quantities of the novel tubular nanomaterial.