Low-cost synthesis of vanadium oxide nanotubes via two novel non-alkoxide routes

The synthesis of vanadium oxide nanotubes (VOx-NTs) containing primary monoamines with long alkyl chains has been achieved by two new approaches, using either VOl(3) or V2O5 as vanadium oxide precursor. The hydrolysis of amine complexes of VOCl3 involves a ligand-assisted templating mechanism as well as the intercalation of amines in layered V2O5. Both procedures followed by a hydrothermal treatment lead to VOx-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 V2O5 in particular provides an advantageous access to large quantities of the novel tubular nanomaterial.