Synthesis and characterization of V2O3 nanocrystals by plasma hydrogen reduction

Abstract

V2O3 nanocrystals have been synthesized by plasma hydrogen reduction technique via a single precursor of V2O5 powders. Addition of Al2O3 powder to the precursor produces Al-doped V2O3 nanocrystals. The V2O3 nanocrystals synthesized by present method have a spherical shape and are single crystalline. The sizes of V2O3 nanocrystals are in the rage of 35–50nm. The V2O3 nanocrystal exhibits an obvious metal–insulator transition near 160K, and increases with Al doping. The V2O3 nanocrystals have an average transmission rate over 50% in wavelength ranging from 5μm to 25μm.