Rational design of one-dimensional vanadium(v) oxide nanocrystals: an insight into the physico-chemical parameters controlling the crystal structure, morphology and size of particles

Abstract

In this highlight, we cover the recent advances on the different synthetic strategies in aqueous solution of one-dimensional vanadium(V) oxide nanocrystals including nanowires, nanotubes, nanorods, nanobelts and nanorings. We have focused mainly our attention on nanostructured materials based on V₂O₅, M_xV₂O₅ (M = Li, Ag, Na), MV₃O₈ and M₂V₆O₁₆ (M = Li, Na, NH₄, K) phases that are currently investigated as cathodes for Li-ion batteries. Here, this article intends to provide a comprehensive review of the synthesis of vanadium oxide nanostructures by combining sol–gel chemistry and hydrothermal processes with the aim of mastering the nanostructure formation and elucidating the fundamental processes of crystallization. Therefore, our discussion has been mainly focused on the identification of the synthetic parameters that drive the structure, crystallinity, size and morphology of nanocrystals. In some cases, possible mechanisms for the nucleation and growth of vanadium oxide nanocrystals were proposed.