Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of the V2O5•nH2O/AlO(OH)•nH2O xerogel composite

In this work, we report the synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of a new multicomponent material obtained from the polymerization of vanadium pentoxide in an inorganic matrix (alumina xerogel), forming a xerogel composite. The material has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the V2O5 xerogel is dispersed in the alumina matrix, but its lamellar structure is not strongly affected, thus, its conductivity properties are maintained. Moreover, the electrochemical behaviour of the V2O5 xerogel dispersed in the alumina matrix is quite similar to that found for the V2O5 xerogel alone and the inorganic matrix leads to stabilization Of V2O5 xerogel structure. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.