Synthesis and characterization of self-assembling (NH4)0.5V2O5 nanowires

Large-scale long (NH4)(0.5)V2O5 nanowires have been synthesized by rational hydrothermal treatment of ammonium metavanadate at 170 degreesC. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope analyses show that the nanowires have diameters of about 20-80 mm, and lengths up to 0.5 mm. Some self-assembled nanobelts are observed with a thickness of 18 nm and width of 100-200 nm. Electrical transport measurements shows that the nanowires are semiconductors with a conductivity of about 10(-3) S cm(-1) at room temperature. The conduction mechanism can be explained by small polaron hopping in transition metal oxides.