Synthesis and characterization of a new class of single-phase AlVO4 precursors

Abstract

Reactions of [Al(OPri)3] with [VO(OPri)3] in presence of halo-acetic acid, CX3COOH in anhydrous benzene yielded complexes of the type, [AlVO(OOCCX3)2(OPri)4], where X = F (1) or Cl (2). The compounds were characterised by elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR (1H, 27Al & 51V) spectral studies. The desired single-phase aluminium vanadate, AlVO4, (a & b) have been obtained easily from the precursors, (1) and (2), respectively, by the sol-gel process. Formation of triclinic phase in both of the AlVO4 (a & b) samples was confirmed by powder XRD patterns. SEM image of (b) exhibits formation of nano-grains with agglomers like surface morphologies. Composition of AlVO4 sample (b) was investigated by EDX analysis, which shows presence of aluminium and vanadium in 1:1 atomic ratio. Absorption spectra of (a) and (b) samples indicate an energy band gap of 3.60 and 3.75 eV, respectively.