Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Vanadium Dioxide Nanorods

摘要

Vanadium dioxide nanorods (B phase) have been synthesized, for the first time, using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as structure-directing template in hydrothermal condition. Morphology and structure of the sample were characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS, TG-DTA and redox titration. The results show that the products are VO_2 (B) nanorods and they are 1～2 μm in length. HRTEM micrographs reveal that they indeed form bundles of agglomerated smaller filaments with diameters ranging from 20 to 40 nm. This filament-like shape in the nanoscale dimension leads to the exposure of a large fraction of the atoms to the surface. Thus, these materials are promising candidates for the development of new functionalized materials. TG investigation shows that there are a weight loss of 2.21% between 250～400℃ corresponding to removal of the organic residuals and a weight gain at about 430℃ corresponding to oxidation of vanadium with low oxidation state. The simplicity of hydrotherrnal process, cheapness, and availability of raw materials are advantages favoring the scaling-up of nanorods.