SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VANADIUM-OXIDE AEROGELS

Vanadium pentoxide aerogels were synthesized by supercritical drying with CO2. The aerogels were prepared using a variety of sol compositions from the system VO(OC3H7)(3)/H2O/acetone. The materials were found to be of fairly low density (0.04-0.1 g/cm(3)) with surface areas in the range of 300-400 m(2)/g. Chemical and structural studies indicate that the aerogels are hydrated oxides of composition V2O5 . nH(2)O with n = 2.0-2.2 and possess a fibrous morphology. When partially dehydrated, the vanadate aerogels exhibit electron transport with conductivity and activation energy values comparable with those of xerogels. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that lithium can be intercalated reversibly into the structure.