Reductive transformation of V(iii) precursors into vanadium(ii) oxide nanowires

Abstract

Vanadium(II) oxide nanostructures are promising materials for supercapacitors and electrocatalysis because of their excellent electrochemical properties and high surface area. In this study, new homoleptic vanadium(III) complexes with bi-dentate O,N-chelating heteroarylalkenol ligands (DmoxCHCOCF₃, PyCHCOCF₃ and PyNCOCF₃) were synthesized and successfully transformed by reductive conversion into VO nanowires. The chemical identity of V(III) complexes and their redox behaviour were unambiguously established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, cyclic voltammetry, spectrometric studies and DFT calculations. Transformation into the metastable VO phase was verified by powder X-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetry. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data confirmed the morphology and chemical composition of VO nanostructures, respectively.