Synthesis and characterization of V2O3 nanocrystals by plasma hydrogen reduction

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 35–50 nm. The V2O3 nanocrystal exhibits an obvious metal–insulator transition near 160 K, and increases with Al doping. The V2O3 nanocrystals have an average transmission rate over 50% in wavelength ranging from 5 μm to 25 μm.

► V2O3 nanocrystals were synthesized by a plasma hydrogen reduction method using V2O5 powders.
► Use V2O5 and Al2O3 powder mixture produces the Al-doped V2O3 nanocrystals.
► The method is environmental-friendly, cost-effective and can be scaled for large production.
► V2O3 nanocrystals have a spherical shape with size ranging from 35 nm to 50 nm and are well dispersed.