Abstract
Uniformly structured nanobelts of V2O5 and beta-AgVO3 were prepared on a large scale with 100% yield by employing a simple hydrothermal growth route using NH4O3 as the raw material in the presence of HNO3 at 200 degrees C for 24 h. Investigations by transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM and SEM) showed that these nanobelts are highly crystalline and have aspect ratios as high as 1000. The possible mechanisms of the nanobelts formation were discussed based on the layered structure of vanadium pentoxide. Due to their high aspect ratio, field emission (FE) properties of V2O5 nanobelts have been investigated. The maximum recorded FE current of 0.32 mAcm(-2) and the field enhancement factor of 850 were found to be comparable or even better than the reported values for the relevant nanostructures. Furthermore, we have investigated the electrochemical Li+ ion discharge properties of the synthesized V2O5 and beta-AgVO3 nanobelts. The discharge capacity in beta-AgVO3 nanobelts enhanced by an order of magnitude compared to V2O5 belts and reached 104 mAh/g at an external applied field of 0.1 mAcm(-2).