Synthesis of vanadium oxide nanotubes via an ultrasonic method

Vanadium oxide nanotubes were synthesized using V₂O₅ powder as the precursor and hexadecylamine as the structure-directing template using a sol-gel reaction method followed by a one-step hydrothermal treatment. The effect of ultrasonics on the formation of nanotubes is reported. The structure and morphology of the nanotubes were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The inner and outer diameters of the nanotubes varied from 20 to 40 nm and 80 to 100 nm, respectively. The nanotubes measured several micrometers in length.